Hardeep Singh Puri to be elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha, other candidates' nominations rejected

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will now be elected unopposed in the by-election for the Rajya Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh. This decision was taken by the Returning Officer (RO), who rejected the nomination papers of two other independent candidates and dismissed the objections raised against Puri's nomination. According to a report by Hindustan Times, Puri's victory has been ensured following this process.

According to the sequence of events, Hardeep Singh Puri had filed three sets of nomination papers on October 31. When these papers were scrutinized at 2 pm on Tuesday, several objections were raised regarding the validity of his candidacy. These objections were presented by independent candidates Kante Sayanna and Rajkumar Lohani, as well as Hemant Katare, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly. The objectors specifically claimed that the Form-26 affidavit submitted by Puri was invalid and incomplete.

Returning Officer Umesh Kumar Sharma heard the arguments of the objectors and also gave the candidate an opportunity to respond. After an investigation, Sharma stated that after a detailed examination of the material available on record and the objections, the grounds presented were not proven. He clarified that there was no violation of the mandatory requirements of Sections 33 and 34 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, nor was any ground found to reject the paper under Section 36(2). Sharma added that the nomination paper and accompanying documents appeared to be in order according to all statutory requirements.

The order further stated that the Form 26 affidavit and the details of the electoral roll were properly examined and found to be complete. No major deficiency was found that would warrant the rejection of the paper under Section 36(4). Based on all these findings, the Returning Officer dismissed the objections and upheld all three nomination papers of Hardeep Singh Puri under Section 36.

On the other hand, the papers of the other two independent candidates have been rejected. Returning Officer Umesh Kumar Sharma stated that independent candidate Rajkumar Lohani's paper was rejected because the mandatory Form 26 was not attached. Similarly, the paper of the third candidate, Kante Sayanna, was rejected due to incomplete information.

Reacting to this decision, Hemant Katare stated that he would move the court in this matter. He described the entire process as a conspiracy to ensure the victory of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Meanwhile, in other news from Madhya Pradesh, according to an NDTV India report, signs have emerged that insects called 'Heartwood Borers' have become active again in the Sal forests of Dindori district. These insects cause damage to the wood. The Forest Department has ordered a survey in this regard. To encourage rural people, the Forest Department has announced that anyone who catches these insects will be given a reward of ₹2 per insect.

Furthermore, according to a Business Standard report, Associated Alcohols company has filed a petition in the Supreme Court. The company has challenged the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict which granted permission to the CCI (Competition Commission of India) to investigate alleged bid rigging and market allocation (cartel) among the state's liquor distilleries.