Delhi polls: Waiting for ‘auspicious’ days, AAP, BJP and Congress candidates to start filing nominations this week

Vijender Gupta, BJP’s MLA candidate from Rohini, said: “In Hindu culture, timings and dates are taken very seriously before starting any new initiative… Filing a nomination is also a big thing. It is like an exam for us, which we have been preparing for months.” He added that he will file his nomination Wednesday.

BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who is contesting from Karawal Nagar, said, “This period is called Kharmas and will end on January 14… auspicious days start from tomorrow…” He added that he will file his nomination on January 16 at 11 am.

The BJP has so far declared names of 59 candidates of which five will file their nominations on Tuesday, 36 on January 15, and the remaining on January 16. The party will likely declare names for the remaining 11 seats on Tuesday.

In the AAP camp, Delhi CM and Kalkaji candidate Atishi will file her nomination on Tuesday. “She was supposed to file it during the day but had a meeting with the Election Commission. She will be filing her nomination tomorrow,” said a party leader.

A senior AAP leader said, “It is up to the individual when they want to file their nominations but 99% of leaders even in our party consult pandits before doing so.”

AAP and Congress are expected to announce their candidate schedule for the nomination process on January 14.

Besides Atishi, Somnath Bharti from Malviya Nagar and Jitender Singh Shunty from Shahdara will file nominations Tuesday, said AAP sources.

“Kalkaji candidate Alka Lamba may file tomorrow and DPCC chief Devender Yadav on January 15,” said a Congress leader.

So far, 26 candidates, mostly independents, have filed nominations. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on January 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20.