Ranchi: The nomination of NDA-backed independent candidate and industrialist Parimal Nathwani for Rajya Sabha election was “put on hold” by returning officer Ranjit Kumar on Tuesday owing to a few discrepancies.During the scrutiny process, the objections were raised by Kolebira Congress MLA Naman Bixal Kongari, proposer of party candidate Pranav Jha, along with his authorised representative, after which the returning officer issued a letter to Nathwani to appear in person or through a representative for an appropriate response by 11 am on Wednesday.Later in the evening, Nathwani’s close aide, however, claimed that the issue has been sorted out, but there wasn’t any official communication from the returning officer till the time of filing this report.Chhattisgarh CM and Congress observer for RS polls, Bhupesh Baghel, wrote on X, “A discrepancy has been reported in the nomination paper of Parimal Nathwani, the BJP-supported candidate in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election. A hearing is underway on the complaint. However, it remains to be seen whether this BJP-backed candidate will remain in the fray solely because they have secured the protective shield of the BJP. Or if the same rules will apply to them as well, and unethical conduct will face defeat.”Nathwani’s aide told TOI: “There were some issues related to the candidate’s name. Somewhere it was mentioned as Parimal Nathwani, and in some documents, as Nathwani Parimal. It has been resolved now as sir (Nathwani) himself was present at the assembly with his team till late evening to satisfy all the queries. A minor issue exists which will be settled on Wednesday.”Nathwani, an outgoing MP from Andhra Pradesh, is eyeing entry into the Upper House for the fourth time. From Jharkhand, he was twice an RS MP. His entry into the fray on Monday turned the contest triangular making INDIA bloc jittery over possible attempts of horse-trading. JMM and Congress have fielded Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha, respectively, as INDIA bloc candidates.
