Surat repeated in Indore

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya with Congress candidate from Indore LS seat Akshay Kanti Bam. Pic/PTI

In a major blow to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, its Indore Lok Sabha seat candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination on Monday, a fortnight before polling in the constituency.

After withdrawing his nomination, Bam reached the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office here. In a photo released by the BJP on social media, Bam was seen along with MP Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, state cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and other party leaders.

Bam is set join the BJP, party sources said. Monday is the last day for withdrawal of nomination in the Indore Lok Sabha seat, where polling will be held on May 13. Indore Collector Ashish Singh confirmed that Bam has withdrawn his nomination.

Bam, accompanied by local BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola, reached the collector's office and withdrew his papers. On his way back, he left in a car with Mendola, ignoring questions from mediapersons.

Mendola is a trusted associate of Vijayvargiya. Collector Singh said, "Three candidates, including Congress' Bam, withdrew their nominations today as per the due procedure. The process has also been videographed."

Vijayvargiya posted a picture on his X account in which Bam was seen sitting in a car with him along with Mendola. The minister said Bam was welcome to join the BJP.

"Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Indore Akshay Kanti Bam is welcome to the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party national president JP Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state president VD Sharma," Vijayvargiya said.

Threat to democracy: Congress

As its Indore Lok Sabha seat candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination, the Congress on Monday said there is a "threat to democracy" and wondered if there is a free and fair poll when the Election Commission "looks the other way" while candidate after candidate is being "intimidated".

The Congress' Indore Lok Sabha seat candidate Bam withdrew his nomination on Monday, a fortnight before polling in the constituency. After withdrawing his nomination, Bam reached the BJP office in Indore. Monday is the last day for withdrawal of nomination in the Indore Lok Sabha seat, where polling will be held on May 13.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever