The Congress has accused the ruling BJP of attempting "match-fixing" in the Surat Lok Sabha seat, which has been consistently won by the BJP since 1984. This comes after the BJP's Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed in the seat, with all other candidates withdrawing from the fray. The Congress has complained to the Election Commission, alleging "wrong and undue influence" exerted by the ruling party. They have also demanded that the poll process in Surat be restarted.
Unopposed Victory in Surat: Congress Raises Concerns of Match-Fixing
The recent election in Surat, Gujarat, has sparked controversy after the BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed due to the withdrawal of all other candidates. The Congress has accused the ruling party of "match-fixing" and has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission.
Background:
Surat, a politically significant city in Gujarat, has been a BJP stronghold since 1984. The Congress has repeatedly attempted to regain control of the seat, but the BJP has maintained its dominance. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, BJP's Darshana Jardosh defeated Congress candidate Ashokbhai Patel by a margin of over 3.3 lakh votes.
Current Controversy:
Following the announcement of Mukesh Dalal as the BJP candidate for Surat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, all other candidates began to withdraw their nominations. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had initially fielded a candidate, announced its withdrawal on January 27th. The Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Communist Party of India (CPI) also withdrew their candidacies.
The Congress has alleged that the BJP used "wrong and undue influence" to pressure other parties to withdraw. They have complained to the Election Commission, demanding a thorough investigation and a re-starting of the poll process in Surat.
BJP's Response:
The BJP has denied the allegations of match-fixing, claiming that the withdrawals were voluntary and not influenced by any external forces. They have accused the Congress of making baseless accusations and trying to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What is the basis of the Congress's match-fixing allegation? Answer: The Congress alleges that the BJP pressured other candidates to withdraw their nominations through threats, inducements, or promises of electoral benefits.
2. Why did other candidates withdraw their nominations? Answer: The exact reasons for the withdrawals are unknown, but speculation includes fear of defeat, pressure from the BJP, or tactical alliances.
3. What is the Election Commission's response to the allegations? Answer: The Election Commission has received the Congress's complaint and is currently investigating the matter.
4. What are the potential consequences if match-fixing is proven? Answer: If the allegations of match-fixing are substantiated, the responsible parties could face legal consequences, including election nullification and criminal charges.
5. Is this the first time such allegations have been made in Indian elections? Answer: No, allegations of match-fixing have been made in previous elections as well, though it is rare for such cases to be proven.
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