Congress candidate's nomition invalid, 3 in fray

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Nov 3: The nomitions of Congress candidate Lupalum Kri for by-election to Hayuliang assembly constituency has been found invalid by the Returning Officer (RO) today during scrutiny of papers. With cancellations of Kri’s papers, altogether three candidates would contest for the by-poll scheduled on November 19 next, State election office sources informed. Those who remained in the fray include, NEDA candidate Dasanglu Pul who is contesting on BJP ticket along with Yompi Kri and Konteso Kri, both contesting as independent candidates. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is November 5. Counting of votes would be done on November 22 next. The seat fell vacant after former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul committed suicide on August 9 this year. The contesting BJP candidate is the third wife of the former Chief Minister.

The constituency with a total electorate of 11,003 including 5,508 female voters has 81 polling stations of which three - Kibitho, Aphum and Taflagam are situated near the intertiol border with Chi. The highest numbers of electors are in Hayuliang polling station with 955 voters while Malogam polling station has only two.

Meanwhile, the Congress in the State alleged that rejection of Lupalum Kri candidature during scrutiny was done by the RO through ‘fraudulent’ means on the behest of incumbent government which exposes its weakness and ill intention.

“The party will not stop voicing against the government’s authoritarian attitude and will seek justice from the appellate authority in the days to come,” Aruchal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesman Hayeng Mangfi said in a statement.

“Although the desperate desire of the government has been succeeded by refraining our candidate from contesting the election, but has exposed the undemocratic functioning of the government, which is a big blow to the future growth of the party,” he said.

Mangfi said that by resorting to forceful rejection of the contesting Congress candidate, the NEDA government has stooped to such a level that even the common men can conclude that they are scare of fighting in the electoral battle.

“We are confident that BJP candidate cannot garner the winning numbers in the by-election, therefore if the government agrees, we dare to face fresh election in the said constituency,” Mangfi added.