Updated October 4th, 2019 at 21:35 IST

'Alpesh Thakor's nomination is wastage of public funds': GHC petition

A petition has been submitted in Gujarat High Court challenging the former Congress MLA's candidacy from Radhanpur in by-polls scheduled to happen on October 21

Reported by: Priyanka Sharma
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As Gujarat by-polls date comes near, trouble seems to be mounting for BJP leader Alpesh Thakor. A petition challenging the former Congress MLA's candidacy from Radhanpur has been submitted in the Gujarat High court by a social worker, Sureshbhai Khimjibhai Singhal.

The petition challenges the nomination filed by Thakor on September 30 for the Randhanpur by-polls scheduled to happen on October 21. The petition questions the validity of the nomination filed since Alpesh Thakor had cross voted in Rajya Sabha elections and for that matter, the speaker of the Gujarat Assembly is yet to give an order. Without the speaker's order, the nominations filed will be a wastage of public funds. If the speaker's order comes against Alpesh Thakor, another by-poll will have to be organised in the Randhanpur constituency.

READ | Congress doesn't want Alpesh to contest from Radhanpur in bypolls

'Judiciary cannot hasten the speaker's process'

A similar point was raised in the petition by the Indian National Congress party delegation. Responding to which the court had said, 'The judiciary could not hasten the process of the speaker'. The speaker has time till November 9 to announce his decision on the matter.

"We have a problem with the complicated history of Alpesh Thakor. The advocate general the earlier case had said that the speaker has till November to decide about the disqualification of Thakor. What if he does end up disqualifying him? There will have to be another by-poll in Radhanpur. This will lead to more public funds wastage. Elections cost times and money and govt resources. It needs to be clarified before hand - whether or not Alpesh Thakor will be disqualified," said Dharmesh Gurjar, the advocate representing the case.

READ | After weeks-long wrangle, Ex-Congress MLAs Alpesh Thakor & Dhavalsinh Zala to join BJP on Thursday

The petition has also raised an issue on the behaviour of Alpesh Thakor. To establish the ethics of Alpesh Thakor, the petitioner has also mentioned the controversial speeches of the BJP leader where he has denounced the north Indians. The petition states that in the past Alpesh has shown questionable behaviour and in all likelihood. The petition also mentions several allegations of corruption against Alpesh Thakor reported from Radhanpur. The hearing on this matter is likely to come up on Monday.

READ | Gujarat by-polls: BJP releases candidate list, Alpesh Thakor included

READ | Congress withdraws disqualification plea against Alpesh Thakor

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Published October 4th, 2019 at 14:05 IST