:dateline:Nomination papers of AAP dissenter and noted Gurbani exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh who had announced to contest Khadoor Sahib bypoll as an independent candidate, were rejected today by the election authorities on ground that former�s vote is not registered in Punjab.
On Wednesday, Bhai Baldeep Singh filed his nomination papers in presence of MPs Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa. The concerned authority had warned him that if he did not submit proof of his vote registered in Punjab, his papers would automatically be rejected as election commission put the condition before the candidate. Bhai Baldeep Singh replied that process of registration of his vote is going on in Sultanpur sub-division of Kapurthala district and it would complete on January 29. But the authorities asked him to submit till 11 am on Thursday, last day of scrutiny of the papers. But he failed to meet the deadline.
Upset by�the rejection, Bhai Baldeep Singh said the whole act was conspired by the ruling Akali Dal which is afraid of facing competition in the bypoll.�He said his case deserves to be called as a special case, in which last date of scrutiny can be extended. He said the date can be extended for one day on ground that last date of withdrawal of the papers in January 30.�
Lashing out at SAD (Badal), he said the returning officer took the decision unconstitutionally and undemocratically. He claimed that sources of the ruling SAD were making contact with him, pressurizing him to withdraw his candidature, but he did not get trapped.
I have already written a letter to chief election commissioner (CEC) to make him appeal to treat my case as special one.
It is notable that next to the SAD candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura and Congress rebel independent candidate Bhupinder Singh Bittu, Bhai Baldeep Singh was a major candidate in the bypoll and as an AAP candidate, he contested Lok Sabha Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib segment securing 3rd�place.
And so it begins – the Badal / Hinduvta / Congress nexus will not even allow non status quo candidates to stand let alone give the electorate a fair and informed chance to vote for them. Only a matter of time before they ‘arrest’ him too under some trumped charge of something like disturbing the sleep of the Sarkari.