BJP changes Hisar nominee

The BJP today replaced its candidate for Hisar Lok Sabha constituency after the revelation that the name of the original nominee — Jaib...

The BJP today replaced its candidate for Hisar Lok Sabha constituency after the revelation that the name of the original nominee — Jaibir Godara — was missing from the voters’ list. The new party candidate is Swami Raghavanand — mahant of a dera near Jind.

Raghavanand’s name was announced by party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Haryana BJP chief Ganeshi Lal, when contacted at Narwana, said Godara had the voters’ photo identity card, but his name was not on the voters’ list. Godara hails from Sherpura village of Sirsa district.

He said, ‘‘It is a strange case. Godara is a permanent resident of Sherpura. He owns land there and had fought the last zila parishad election also. The deletion of the name of a voter who holds a photo identity card is a matter of concern.

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When asked if the party suspected foul play, Ganeshi Lal said, ‘‘I do not want to cast aspersions on anyone without any evidence, but the issue merits investigation.’’

The deletion came to light yesterday when Godara prepared to file his nomination papers. Finding his name missing, Godara contacted the BJP high command.

Thereafter, Naqvi approached the Election Commission for an intervention, which deputed an officer to look into the case.