All the four nomination papers of UPA-Left presidential candidate Pratibha Patil were found valid after scrutiny on Monday.
NEW DELHI: All the four nomination papers of UPA-Left presidential candidate Pratibha Patil were found valid after scrutiny on Monday, according to Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.
The July 19 Presidential poll will witness a straight fight between Patil and NDA-backed independent Bhairon Singh Shekhawat after all other nomination papers were rejected on Monday.
All the four sets of nomination papers of Patil and two sets of Shekhawat were found valid on scrutiny, Lok Sabha Secretary General, PDT Achary, who is also the Returning Officer, announced at a press conference.
He said all other nomination papers were rejected on scrutiny.
In all 74 candidates had jumped into the fray but barring Patil and Shekhawat none had fulfilled all the requirements for making the nomination paper valid.
Achary said the non-serious candidates did not attach the signatures of at least 50 proposers and as many seconders and some even did not deposit Rs 15,000 at the time of filing of documents.
He said that this time the election for the top post seemed to have generated more enthusiasm among the people compared to last time when some 60-odd candidates had filed their papers.
Filing of nomination had begun on June 16 and ended on June 30. After today's scrutiny, the last date for withdrawal is July four.
Achary said polling will take place, if necessary, on July 19 from 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs and the counting will take place on July 21 in Parliament House.
When asked to comment on BJP's demand before the Election Commission that Patil should disclose her assets in an affidavit, Achary said, "I have no comment to offer. I go by the law and take decisions in accordance with the law which is in force".
Senior BJP leader L K Advani has sought the Election Commission's intervention, saying Patil has not disclosed her assets and that she faced serious allegations.
Achary also declined to comment on a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to cancel Patil's nomination paper.
"I am not aware of it," he said when his views were sought on the issue.
The apex court will hear on Tuesday the petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma in the matter.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}