Both Surat, Indore candidates threatened, bulldozed into withdrawing nominations: Cong
Accusing the BJP of threatening its candidates to withdraw from the poll race in Surat and Indore, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asks why PM Modi is afraid of defeat in BJP bastions
Alleging that its candidates in both Surat and Indore were threatened, intimidated and bulldozed into withdrawing their nominations, the Congress on Tuesday (April 30) asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he was “nervous” and “afraid” even in traditional BJP bastions.
The Congress’ Indore Lok Sabha seat candidate Akshay Bam withdrew his nomination on Monday, a fortnight before polling in the constituency.
Earlier, the Congress’ Surat candidate’s nomination form was rejected over discrepancies, paving the way for the BJP nominee to get elected unopposed from the seat in Gujarat.
“Since 1984 the Congress has not won Surat and Indore Lok Sabha seats. Yet in 2024 Congress candidates in both seats were threatened, intimidated and bulldozed into withdrawing their nominations." "Why is the PM so nervous and afraid even in traditional BJP bastions?" Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
The Congress on Monday had said there is a "threat to democracy" and wondered if there is a free and fair poll when the Election Commission "looks the other way" while candidate after candidate is being "intimidated".