Krishan Kant, Barnala File Nomination

The United Front-Congress joint nominee, Krishan Kant, and the opposition-sponsored Akali Dal candidate, Surjit Singh Barnala, yesterday filed their nominations for the August 16 vice-presidents election, necessitating a contest.

While Kant filed four sets of nominations, Barnala, who is supported by BJP-BSP-Samata party-Shiv Sena combine filed only one set of nomination papers. As many as 27 candidates, including Kant and Barnala, filed a total 36 nomination papers. While the scrutiny is to take place today, the last date for withdrawal is August one.

Barring the candidature of Kant and Barnala, all the other papers are likely to be rejected as they do not have the necessary number of proposers and seconders, official sources said.

Among the important proposers for Kant are the Prime Minister I K Gujral, former Prime Ministers Chandrashekhar and H D Deve Gowda, home minister Indrajit Gupta, defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and industry minister Murasoli Maran.

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Kanshi Ram, Samata party chief George Fernandes and Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sirpotdar were the proposers and seconders for Barnala.