In a blow to Deepa Jayakumar’s electoral ambitions, the returning officer rejected her nomination papers on the grounds of an incomplete affidavit for the RK Nagar bye-polls on Tuesday. She is the niece of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Deepa’s nomination papers were rejected on the grounds of discrepancies in her affidavit. Deepa has left portions of Form 26 blank, which looks at assets and liabilities.
Speaking to TNM, Rajesh Lakhoni, TN Chief Electoral Officer said, “As per a Delhi High Court order, all columns have to be fully filled. They were a lot of gaps in her affidavit.”
Speaking to Thanthi TV, Deepa said, “They created many obstacles to my filing affidavit. I even got calls from senior people in the government that I shouldn’t file my nomination and to take it back. I don't want to name them. They said my nomination might be rejected. They did not stop any of the other candidates, but they tried to stop me. Even last time, some people told me I shouldn't file the nomination and threatened me. But I didn't take it seriously that time.”
She also said that she has not officially heard about her nomination papers being rejected.
Deepa Jayakumar had filed her nomination for the RK Nagar bye-elections on Monday. Contesting as an independent candidate under the banner of MGR Amma Deepa Peravai, she is standing on the claim of being Jayalalithaa’s blood relative, and being her true heir.
Deepa pointed out that her nomination papers had not been rejected in April when polls were originally scheduled for RK Nagar. The bye-polls were later cancelled following allegations of voter bribery.
“If there was a problem with my affidavit -- last time my affidavit was not rejected, so what is the problem now?” she asked.
Pointing a finger at the police department, Deepa said that she doesn't want protection from the police because it was the police that was creating obstacles for her.
The late CM’s constituency of RK Nagar will see a multi-cornered contest on December 21, when it goes to polls. While AIADMK has fielded veteran leader Madhusudhanan, AIADMK (Amma)’s candidate is TTV Dhinakaran, DMK has chosen Maradhu Ganesh, while BJP has chosen Karu Nagarajan. Actor Vishal's nomination was also rejected.
The results for RK Nagar bye-elections will be announced on December 24.