Shimla, Oct 25: Veteran Congress leader Vidya Stokes on Wednesday filed a petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court against the rejection of her nomination papers. Stokes, who was to represent Congress at Theog constituency, had filed her papers, but the SDM-cum-Returning Officer (RO) rejected her papers on Tuesday citing technical reasons.
The SDM pointed out that the Congress had not withdrawn the name of Deepak Rathore, who was also in the running from the same constituency. Rathore was announced as the candidate on Sunday but upon Stokes’ insistence she was handed over the ticket to Theog constituency on Monday. However, both the Congress candidates ended up filing their nomination from the same place.
A furious Stokes had said, “I am very upset. I don’t blame anyone…I was given ticket by Rahulji. I could not have gone for nomination without authority. I am not a fool.” She feels that Rathore cheated both her and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and that she will never support Rathore. She said, “He played a big mischief with me and also Rahulji. This is unacceptable. I will not pardon him.”
Meanwhile, Deepak Rathore has been named as Congress’ official candidate from Theog.
Source The Indian Express
