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Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination papers for the Wayanad by-poll on Wednesday in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Screengrab of video shared by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Photo:X)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress sparred over Mallikarjun Kharge’s “absence” inside the chamber where Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination papers for Wayanad by-poll on Wednesday.
While the BJP alleged that Kharge was made to stand outside the room as “he is not family”, the Congress explained that Kharge only followed the instructions of the District Magistrate, according to which only 5 people could stay inside the chamber, and by abiding to his directions, the Congress President “helped the DM”.
WHAT DID THE BJP ALLEGE?
BJP leader and former union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar shared a video on X in which Kharge, the Congress President, was seen stationed outside a room whose door was ajar. Captioning the post, he claimed that the visuals are of the time when Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers and was not allowed to enter the chamber as “he is not family”.
He alleged that Kharge “sacrificed” dignity at the altar of “arrogance” of the Gandhi family.
“Where were you @kharge Saheb? When first family Priyanka Vadra ji was filing her nomination as Cong candidate for Wayanad. Kept outside – bcoz hes not family. Self-respect & dignity sacrificed at the altar of arrogance & entitlement of the Sonia family. Just imagine if they treat senior Dalit leader & Party President like this, how they will treat people of Wayanad,” Chandrasekhar posted on X.
Where were you @kharge Saheb ? when first family Priyanka Vadra ji was filing her nomination as Cong candidate for #WayanadKept outside – bcoz hes not family.🤮🤬
Self-respect & dignity sacrificed at the altar of arrogance & entitlement of the Sonia family 😡
Just imagine… pic.twitter.com/74Tm0fBbI5
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) October 23, 2024
CONGRESS RESPONDS TO VIDEO
AICC Secretary Pranav Jha was quick to respond to the former minister’s allegations stating that Kharge stood outside the door only to abide by the DM’s instructions.
“We honour the direction and discipline enforced by The District Magistrate. Her rule demanded that not more than 5 people including the candidate be present in the room. By choosing to stand at the door Congress President helped the DM,” Jha tweeted.
Dear Mr Chandrasekhar,we are still the law abiding citizens of this country.You’d not understand this rectitude of yore, since you, your party & your Government have been tearing that very fabric of law and righteousness.
We honour the direction and discipline enforced by… https://t.co/N2eHoohBh9
— pranav jha (@pranavINC) October 23, 2024
WHAT DO THE REALTIME VISUALS SHOW?
The visuals at the time of filing of nomination papers showed Kharge sitting beside Priyanka inside the DM’s chamber. He was seen sitting at his place the entire time she filed the nomination papers.
Wayanad will go to by-poll on November 13 and the results will be announced on November 23.