Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The BJP has accused the Congress of disrespecting its president Mallikarjun Kharge after a video surfaced showing the Dalit leader waiting outside while Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers for the Wayanad bypolls. The footage, shared by BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, was used to allege that the Congress harbours bias against Dalits.
However, social media users responded with photos of Kharge with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the nomination process, challenging the narrative. Here’s what actually transpired at Priyanka’s nomination filing on Wednesday, as per an India Today report.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Arrival and Filing Process
Priyanka Gandhi, who is contesting the Wayanad bypoll after the seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, was expected at the district collector’s office in Kalpetta to file her nomination around 1 PM. However, running behind schedule, Priyanka left the campaign rally early, during Kharge’s speech, and arrived at the office at 1:24 PM with her husband Robert Vadra and son.
The nomination filing is videographed as per Election Commission rules, and only one proposer is needed for a recognised party’s candidate. Priyanka informed the returning officer that her family members, including the Congress president, her mother, and brother, were delayed in a meeting but would join shortly. The officer confirmed they could enter during the submission of the second set of nomination papers.
Kharge’s Entry Delayed
When Sonia Gandhi arrived, followed by Kharge and Congress MP KC Venugopal, they were temporarily stopped by security as the returning officer was scrutinizing Priyanka’s first set of papers. After the process, Robert Vadra and his son left the room, allowing Kharge to enter for the submission of the second set of papers. Notably, Rahul Gandhi had also waited outside during the scrutiny of the first set.
The BJP’s Attack
Despite Kharge’s eventual participation, the part of the video showing him waiting outside went viral, leading the BJP to accuse the Congress of disrespecting the Dalit leader. The BJP alleged, “The way Mallikarjun Kharge was kept out during Priyanka Vadra’s nomination filing today shows the Gandhi family’s disregard for Dalits. If they can insult Kharge like this, one can imagine how they treat the Dalit community.”
