AAP Raises Concerns Over BJP Candidate's Election Filing Irregularities
The Aam Aadmi Party has voiced serious concerns about BJP candidate Kirit Patel's election filing, alleging that he omitted critical information and misused government resources. During a press conference, AAP's Pranav Thakkar highlighted these issues and called for legal action against Patel. He urged voters in Visavadar to support AAP candidate Gopal Italia, warning that Patel's nomination could be rejected. This situation unfolds amid broader allegations involving the BJP's support for Congress in upcoming Punjab by-elections. Read on to discover more about these developments and their implications for the election.
| Jun 6, 2025, 15:38 IST
Concerns Raised by AAP Over BJP Candidate's Allegations
The state president of the Aam Aadmi Party's legal cell, Pranav Thakkar, expressed serious concerns during a press conference regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kirit Patel from Visavadar. Thakkar accused Patel of deliberately omitting paragraph 8.2 from Form 26, which has led to the concealment of crucial information. A complaint was previously lodged with the returning officer, but due to an unsatisfactory response, the Aam Aadmi Party has now formally reached out to the Election Commission of India. Thakkar further stated that election officials are operating under pressure from the BJP. Nevertheless, the party is prepared to legally contest this matter at every level.
Additional Concerns Raised
Thakkar also mentioned that the BJP candidate owns a Fortuner vehicle, which has been confirmed by the RTO as registered in his name. However, this vehicle was not disclosed in the election affidavit, representing a significant violation. Citing precedents set by the Supreme Court, Thakkar emphasized that concealing assets could lead to disqualification even after winning the election. The party has filed a separate complaint with the Election Commission regarding this concealment and will also lodge a local complaint against Kirit Patel. Furthermore, Thakkar pointed out the misuse of a government vehicle—a Mahindra Bolero (GJ 11 VV 4613)—during Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's visit to Visavadar. He stated, "No candidate is permitted to use government vehicles for campaigning. This is also a violation, and we have filed a complaint with the Election Commission."
Voter Appeal from AAP
Addressing the residents of Visavadar, Pranav Thakkar urged them not to waste their votes on Kirit Patel, asserting that his nomination is likely to be rejected or he will be declared ineligible, which would deprive Visavadar of proper representation. He appealed to voters to support AAP candidate Gopal Italia, describing him as a capable and strong representative for the region. Meanwhile, in a related matter involving AAP and BJP, coordinator Arvind Kejriwal alleged on June 4 that the BJP has announced its support for Congress in the upcoming Punjab by-elections, referencing a video of a BJP press conference shared by AAP's senior spokesperson Neel Garg.