At a time when the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress party are locking horns for a bitter battle in Nandyal by-elections on August 3, both the parties have kicked up a needless controversy over the validity of the nomination papers.
It started with the TDP leaders including its candidate Bhuma Brahmanand Reddy lodging a complaint with the returning officer for the by-elections stating that the affidavit submitted by YSRC candidate Silpa Mohan Reddy along with his nomination papers was invalid because the licence of notary Rama Tulasi Reddy who certified the affidavit expired way back in 2013 and it was not renewed. As such, the nomination papers of Mohan Reddy would become invalid.
On coming to know about this, the YSRC leaders filed a counter-complaint with the election commission seeking disqualification of the TDP candidate since the latter failed to furnish his income tax details fully.
The returning officer forwarded both the complaints to the Election Commission authorities for clarification.
Sources said the controversy was unwarranted because the candidates have the facility to make changes in the affidavits, if it is required, before the last date of withdrawal; that is August 9.
As long as the original nomination papers are okay, there is no problem for the contestants. However, the final decision from the Election Commission is awaited, say the authorities.
