In Himachal Pradesh where process of election begins on Wednesday as filling of nomination papers starts, however, the “shradhs” a fortnight-long period as per Hindu calendar is weighing heavily on the minds of the candidates in the state. The candidates are reluctant to file their nomination papers during “shradhs” as any kind of new activity or starting a new venture is considered inauspicious in the state.
The nomination process has begun from Wednesday and would last on October 17, the “shradhs” are going to end on October 15. It is after October 15 that most of candidates have decided to file their nomination papers. This has left the candidates with only two days on October 16 and 17 to file their papers.
So scared are some the candidates of not filling their papers during the “shradhs” period that they conveyed their reluctance to file their respective parties.
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Antony meets patel to discuss party strategy
Age Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct. 10
Senior Congress leaders, including defence minister A.K. Antony and party president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, held consultations on the strategy how to counter the campaign against Arvind Kejriwal and others.
The Congress also suspected Opposition hand behind Mr Kejriwal’s charges against Mr Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and alleged that whenever the party moved for economic reforms, its detractors brought “this type of negativity”.
Mr Kejriwal rejected Haryana government’s contention that there was no wrong doing in its dealings with DLF over a land given to a company linked with Mr Vadra.