The Congress on Thursday complained to the chief electoral officer against the BJP's Manika candidate, claiming he submitted his nomination papers after the deadline on Wednesday. Wednesday was the last day to submit nominations for the first of five phases of elections in the state. There had been rumours on Wednesday evening that Hare Krishna Singh had missed the deadline as he had reached the Sub Divisional Magistrate's office in Maduadandr in Latehar district past the deadline of 3 PM. However, later the same day, news came through that Singh's papers had been accepted, with the BJP claiming he had reached on time. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the state unit of the BJP said Singh had reached on time but admitted he had submitted his papers late. "He was in the SDM's room at 2.45 in the afternoon. He had to wait while another candidate submitted his nomination papers. He finally gave in his papers after 3 PM but the rule says he has to be present before deadline," said Pradeep Sinha. Jharkhand's CEO said he had received the complaint and has called for a report from the District Electoral Officer. "The DEO - the deputy commissioner of Latehar - has been asked to submit a report by Friday evening," said P.K. Jajoria. There was more drama in Mahuadandr on Wednesday, after the CEO's office failed to get in touch with the SDM's till 8.30 in the night for details of nominations submitted over the day. Mahuadandr, a CPI-Maoist stronghold, is one of the worst-connected blocks in Jharkhand. It was for the first time that nominations were being submitted there. "Only BSNL works in Mahuadandr and that too, is patchy. The loss of connectivity is not connected to the allegations made by the Congress," said Jajoria.
