Over 3,000 validly nominated candidates in fray after scrutiny
D K Shivakumar's nomination papers in order
Bengaluru, Apr 21: A total of 3,044 validly nominated candidates are in the fray for May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, after their nominations were found to be in order during the scrutiny on Friday.
This however is excluding five Assembly segments, as the scrutiny in Savadatti-Yellamma, Aurad, Haveri (SC), Raichur and Shivajinagar constituencies is not yet completed, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka said in a release.
According to official sources, the nomination of state Congress President D K Shivakumar, who had expressed apprehensions about the possibility of his papers getting rejected, has been accepted.
READ ALSO: K'taka HC dismisses DK Shivakumar's petition challenging sanction to prosecute him
Out of these 3,044 validly nominated candidates- 219 are from BJP, 218 Congress, 207 from JD(S), rest are all from small parties and Independents.
A total of 4,989 nominations have been received from these candidates.
The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is April 24.
Shivakumar's nomination papers were accepted, according to sources. This comes after the Congress state chief claimed that the BJP's IT cell was vetting his affidavit.
In a surprise move, hours before the deadline for filing nomination, Congress MP from Bangalore Rural D K Suresh on Thursday had filed nomination from Kanakapura segment, from where his elder brother Shivakumar is the party's candidate.
Suresh has filed his papers, as a "backup plan" in the event of nomination of Shivakumar getting rejected.
They had alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched by the ruling BJP to reject Shivakumar's nomination.
Shivakumar is Congress candidate from Kanakapura Assembly segment.
"My nomination is in order. But there was information that the BJP's IT cell was examining my nomination papers. There's a conspiracy to misuse the official machinery," the KPCC chief said earlier today.
He had on Thursday claimed that 5,000 people have downloaded his assets list (which was part of his nomination affidavit).
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Two held in UP's Bijnor for contact with Pakistan linked Dubai handler
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Bijnor (PTI): Two men were arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district on Friday for allegedly being in touch with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Dubai, police said.
Circle Officer, Najibabad, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider were arrested following inputs on their alleged links with Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently staying in Dubai.
According to police, Aqib had earlier come into the spotlight after a video surfaced on Instagram purportedly showing him displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives.
During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly told police that Aqib used to incite youngsters against Hindus and encourage anti-national activities, the officer said, adding that detailed questioning of the accused is underway.
On April 6, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha said the video first surfaced in November last year. Aqib, a native of Sathla village in the Mawana area of Meerut, was allegedly seen in the video brandishing weapons.
Following the viral clip, a case was registered at the Nangal police station by sub-inspector Vinod Kumar. However, the then station house officer and investigating officer Satyendra Singh had recorded Aqib's statement and filed a final report, stating that the weapons seen in the video were toys, effectively giving him a clean chit.
Police said fresh developments have now revealed Aqib's suspicious links and the probe has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The SP said action has been taken against the officials concerned, with the then SHO and investigating officer suspended and Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh removed from his post.
