360 nominations rejected

The nominations of 360 candidates were rejected on Monday after the scrutiny of their nomination papers for forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Haryana. “The nomination papers of 1,925 candidates were scrutinised. Now there are 1,565 candidates still remaining which includes 1,403 male and 162 woman candidates. After scrutiny, minimum of seven candidates were left in Shahbad Assembly Constituency whereas maximum of 40 candidates were left in Assandh Assembly Constituency,” said Shrikant Walgad, Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana. Candidates would be able to withdraw their candidature by October 1, after which the final picture of total candidates in the fray will be clear. Polling will be held on October 15 and counting of votes would take place on October 19.

Another turncoat joins INLD
He contested the recent Lok Sabha polls on a Congress ticket from Ambala parliamentary constituency but quit the party to join the BJP. On Monday, Rajkumar Balmiki was on the move again as he deserted the BJP and joined the INLD. His joining was announced by senior INLD leaders during a press conference addressed by Abhay Chautala here on Monday. On why he quit the BJP as well, Balmiki said that he was not happy with the ideologies and policies of the saffron outfit.

Govt buses can’t display poll ads
New Delhi: With Maharashtra and Haryana set for Assembly polls next month, the Election Commission on Monday ruled out allowing display of election advertisements on government transport buses, saying the party in power can use it to its advantage and disturb the level-playing field. In a communication to chief electoral officers, the EC referred to the issue of allowing election-related advertisements on state road transportation and municipal corporation buses. “ A party should not be in a position to take undue advantage on account of it being in power….the buses of the SRTC are virtually under the control of the state government concerned….,” the EC said.