Election Affidavit Mismatch Sparks Controversy in Jammu-Samba-Reasi; Complaint Referred to ECI for appropriate Action.
Mystery prevails as Raman Bhalla is close lipped….
April 24, 2024
||Black and White Digital News||
In a dramatic turn of events, a complaint concerning discrepancies in the election affidavit of Jammu-Samba-Reasi parliamentary candidate Jugal Kishore has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu & Kashmir, P.K. Pole. The complaint, submitted by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, raises serious concerns about the accuracy and disclosure in Kishore’s affidavit.
Advocate Ahmed’s detailed representation, spanning 52 pages, emphasizes a significant mismatch between Kishore’s affidavits dated March 23, 2019, and March 30, 2024. Notably, Kishore’s liabilities to banks and financial institutions have allegedly seen a drastic reduction from Rs. 34,53,14,232 in 2019 to a mere Rs. 20,42,956.81 in 2024.
The complaint specifically targets the conduct of the Returning Officer, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, who, according to Advocate Ahmed, failed to address the discrepancies during scrutiny as required under Section 36 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. Instead, Vaishya purportedly directed Advocate Ahmed to seek legal recourse, an action that is deemed as shirking responsibilities by the complainant.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the nonchalant approach of the Returning Officer, Advocate Ahmed escalated the matter to the CEO of J&K. The CEO subsequently referred the complaint to the ECI for appropriate action, signaling the gravity of the issue at hand.
Interestingly, the silence of Raman Bhalla, the Congress candidate contesting against Kishore in the Jammu-Samba-Reasi constituency, has raised eyebrows. Despite being a political opponent, Bhalla has refrained from commenting on the controversy, leaving observers to ponder the motives behind his reticence.
The delay in resolving this matter is particularly concerning given the impending conclusion of the elections in the said constituency. Advocate Ahmed’s recourse to the court of law and subsequent ECI intervention will likely extend beyond the electoral timeline, raising questions about the effectiveness of timely interventions in such crucial matters.
In conclusion, the mismatch in Kishore’s affidavits and the alleged laxity of the Returning Officer have cast a shadow over the electoral process in Jammu-Samba-Reasi. The ECI’s forthcoming actions will be closely watched as they hold the key to upholding the integrity of electoral disclosures and ensuring accountability amongst candidates.
