After An Arduous Wait Of 6 Hours, CM Kejriwal Patiently Files Nomination

Arvind Kejriwal, contesting polls from the New Delhi Assembly seat, failed to file his nomination papers on Monday as he got delayed due to his massive roadshow.

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accompanied by his parents, Gobind Ram Kejriwal and Geeta Devi arrives at Jamnagar House to file his nomination papers for the forthcoming Assembly polls, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (PTI Photo)

Delhi Assembly Elections 2020:  After an arduous wait of over six hours at the Returning Officer’s (RO) office, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was finally able to file his nominations from the New Delhi Assembly constituency for the February 8 polls. Kejriwal, who missed the deadline yesterday due to a massive roadshow, reached the center today at 12 noon along with his family members and party leaders Pankaj Gupta and Gopal Mohan. Kejriwal, who was given token No. 45, waited patiently for his turn as today was the last day for filing but the unusual waiting period rankled his party leaders who accused BJP-backed candidates of deliberating delaying the nomination process. Reports say nearly 60 candidates had lined up to file nominations. Though the deadline for filing nominations was 3 p.m., all those who have been given token were eligible to submit their papers. AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed around 35 candidates were sitting at RO office with the CM, "without proper nomination papers, without even 10 proposers. They are calling their proposers on phone to come". Bharadwaj tweeted that "they insisting unless their papers are complete and they file Nomination, they won't allow the CM to file Nomination." "Waiting to file my nomination. My token no is 45. There are many people here to file nomination papers. (I) am so glad so many people participating in democracy," Kejriwal tweeted at around 2.30 p.m. from the Jamnagar House here. Reacting to the tweet, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in a tweet in Hindi, said that BJP leaders may try their best, but they would not be able to stop Kejriwal from filing his nominations and returning as Chief Minister for the third time. "..Your conspiracy will never succeed," he posted. AAP government's media advisor Nagendar Sharma termed it "below the belt tactics" of BJP."By resorting to such below the belt tactics, BJP has announced its imminent defeat. Try these tricks with tired and grand old parties. Not with those bubbling with energy and ideas," he tweeted. Congress candidate from the New Delhi Assembly seat, Romesh Sabharwal, also said that his token number is 61 and he is waiting for his turn."My Token number is 61. I think it will take time few hours more. I don't know how many locals are submitting nominations. I belong to government servants' families. I don't know how many belong to our community. We are all inside and their is no canteen," Sabharwal tweeted.

Doesn’t matter. Many of them r filing for the first time. They r bound to make mistakes. We also made mistakes the first time. We shud hand hold them. I am enjoying waiting wid them. They r all part of my family. https://t.co/9s8hRDnjSU

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2020

He said he got delayed because of Republic Day march rehearsals and traffic jam on all corners of the area. Kejriwal, contesting polls from the New Delhi Assembly seat, failed to file his nomination papers on Monday as he got delayed due to his massive roadshow. "The journey for the next five years starts from here. Like the good work that has happened in Delhi, I hope in the next five years also there will be good work," he said while talking to the media before filing his nomination papers. He said parties are forming alliance in Delhi against the AAP.

Delhi CM and AAP candidate from New Delhi constituency, Arvind Kejriwal leaves from the office of the Returning Officer after filing his nomination for #DelhiElections2020 pic.twitter.com/HHwtytm1qD

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2020

"The BJP, Congress and many other parties have come together... the LJP, JJP, JD-U and RJD. For the first time there is such a coalition in Delhi. All these parties only have one aim: 'defeat Kejriwal'. "And I have only one aim, how to end corruption and take Delhi forward. They are saying 'defeat Kejriwal', I am saying make schools better, hospitals better, give electricity. Their only aim is to defeat Kejriwal," the AAP chief added. There was a huge crowd of candidates at the SDM office since morning. The supporters of other candidates accused the police of giving "VIP treatment" to the Chief Minister. Kejriwal faced protest from the candidates and their supporters contesting against him at the RO office. (With inputs from Agencies)