JAIPUR: In a strange turn of events that left
Congress
embarrassed, its candidate from
Banswara Lok Sabha seat
in Rajasthan,
Arjun Singh Bamaniya
, failed to turn up for filing nomination, prompting
dummy candidate
Arvind Damor to file his nomination papers at the last minute.
Congress had confirmed the candidature of Bamaniya, former minister and sitting Banswara MLA, just three hours before the nomination deadline of 5 pm on Thursday, following the failure of talks for an alliance on the seat with
Bhartiya Adivasi Party
(BAP).
The three-time legislator, who consented to contest the LS seat reserved for scheduled tribes, however, failed to reach the district collectorate. With the clock ticking, local party leaders finally decided to field Damor, a state Youth Congress functionary, who was the second choice of local leaders who had earlier shortlisted and sent the two names to Delhi.
While miffed local leaders have decided to complain to the party brass against Bamaniya, the MLA claimed he decided to opt out in favour of a younger candidate at the behest of “youth Congress leaders”.
The local party leaders said they would submit a detailed report to the high command on the whole episode. “Considering his seniority, we did not question him. But his unethical behaviour has brought major embarrassment to the party. We will file a report to the party leaders, including the state president, and hope they will take action against him,” said a leader.
TOI spoke to Bamaniya, who clarified that he dropped out, leaving the seat for a younger candidate. “After my name was finalised, I went home to prepare for the nomination. Thereafter, Youth Congress leaders approached me and urged me to leave the field for Damor. I was convinced by their claim that young leadership should be promoted and decided not to contest,” he said.
Asked if he had informed the local leaders of his decision, Bamaniya said “most of them were aware”.
