BJP forced Surat (east) candidate Kanchan Jariwala to withdraw nomination, says AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)has alleged that its Surat (east) candidate Kanchan Jariwala was abducted by the ruling BJP and forced to withdraw his nomination. AAP Rajya Sabha MP and Gujarat co-incharge Raghav Chaddha alleged that Jariwala was being pressurised by BJP since Tuesday morning to get his nominations cancelled. "When Kanchan Jariwala and his family did not listen to BJP goons, the BJP goons took them in their custody and themselves went to the Returning Officer's office and pressured the Returning Officer to cancel his nomination," Chaddha said.

"But when there was no option to cancel the nomination papers, BJP goons took our candidate in their custody to some unknown place. Shri Kanchan Jariwala's phone has been switched off since one o'clock in the afternoon. No one knows his location. Our candidate is being pressured to withdraw his nomination today and tomorrow. Our candidate is being pressurised mentally, physically and emotionally," he said.

While Jariwala eventually withdrew his nomination, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh sought intervention of the Election Commission in this matter. BJP, however, denied any involvement in the matter. Speaking to ET, Gujarat BJP media cell convenor Yagnesh Dave described the matter as an internal issue of AAP. "I would tell them to get their house in order instead of blaming others."