It's a cakewalk for Sushma at Vidisha

BHOPAL: The nomination of Congress candidate Rajkumar Patel from Vidisha was rejected by the Election Commission late on Monday , making the election of Sushma Swaraj, BJP���s candidate from the seat, almost a fait accompli. The returning officer in Raisen rejected the nomination of Patel on the grounds that the Congress candidate submitted form ���A��� after the prescribed time limit on Saturday.

While submitting his nomination papers, Rajkumar Patel had attached a photocopy of Form A. He later rushed the original form ���A��� but after the scheduled time for filing nominations was over. The lapse triggered speculations, with the Congress leadership not very convinced by the alibi of carelessness. ���I find it very suspicious,��� said a senior leader.

The party announced that punitive disciplinary action will be taken against Rajkumar Patel for not having submitted his nomination papers on time. Since he belongs to AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh faction , the other lobbies in the party are already pointing an accusing finger at him, claiming Patel has been part of a wellframed conspiracy.

The Congress has indicated that it might support a strong Independent candidate against Swaraj. ���We are exploring the idea of supporting a strong Independent candidate,��� a senior Congress leader said. Vidisha has emerged as a BJP stronghold, having been won by former PM A B Vajpayee and, later, by CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan. That was why the seat was offered to Swaraj.