On Tuesday night, Deepa Jayakumar reached the RK Nagar zonal office, after the returning officer dashed her political ambitions by rejecting her nomination papers on grounds of an incomplete affidavit for the RK Nagar bypolls.
She is the niece of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
According to reports, Deepa’s nomination papers were rejected on the grounds of discrepancies in her affidavit. Deepa had left blank form 26 I, which looks at the value of her properties. However, she told reporters that all the information provided by her was perfect.
There is a column where we talk about inheritance of property and I have mentioned that. It’s not mandatory. That’s not a reason enough to reject this application. All other information I have provided are perfect.
Speaking to Thanthi TV, Deepa said, “They created many obstacles for the filing of my affidavit. I even got calls from senior people in the government that I shouldn’t file my nomination and to take it back. I don't want to name them. They said my nomination might be rejected. They did not stop any of the other candidates, but they tried to stop me. Even last time, some people told me I shouldn't file the nomination and threatened me. But I didn't take it seriously that time.”
Last time my affidavit was not rejected, so what is the problem now?Deepa Jayakumar
She also said that she has not officially heard of her nomination papers being rejected.
Deepa Jayakumar had filed her nomination for the RK Nagar bye-polls on Monday. Contesting as an independent candidate under the banner of MGR Amma Deepa Peravai, she is standing on the claim of being Jayalalithaa’s blood relative, and being her true heir.
Deepa pointed out that her nomination papers had not been rejected in April when polls were originally scheduled for RK Nagar. The bye-polls were later cancelled following allegations of voter bribery.
Pointing a finger at the police department, Deepa said that she doesn’t want protection from the police because it was the police that was creating obstacles for her.
The late CM’s constituency of RK Nagar will see a multi-cornered contest on 21 December when it goes to polls. While AIADMK has fielded veteran leader Madhusudhanan, AIADMK (Amma)’s candidate is TTV Dhinakara; DMK has chosen Maradhu Ganesh, while BJP has chosen Karu Nagarajan. Actor Vishal also took many by surprise by taking the electoral plunge and contesting in the RK Nagar polls.
The results for RK Nagar bye-elections will be announced on 24 December.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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