Kant, Barnala file papers

Kant, who along with Industry Minister Murasoli Maran drove straight from Andhra Pradesh Bhawan this morning to file his nomination, was received by Kesri and a large number of senior Congress leaders at the main entrance of Parliament House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Srikant Jena was also there on behalf of the Government to welcome him.

It had been decided that Kant would first go to the Congress Party office and that Prime Minister I K Gujral would later join them. Since Gujral got stuck in the Rajya Sabha, Kant had to wait longer than planned. He narrated a couplet of famous Urdu poet Iqbal, reminding all present that he had begun his political journey with the Congress and it was a coincidence that he was happy to be present again. Kesri said he was happy that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of India8217;s Independence, the country would be electing a freedom fighter.