AAP says nominee 'abducted'; neta emerges, opts out of poll

‘No Pressure From BJP, Lack Cash For Surat Campaigning’

Surat: An AAP candidate reported “kidnapped” by his party shortly after his nomination for the Surat East seat passed scrutiny on Tuesday dramatically resurfaced the next day to withdraw from the polls, saying he couldn’t afford to spend Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore on campaigning.

Amid heavy police presence and a sprinkling of AAP and BJP workers, Kanchanlal Jariwala turned up at Surat’s Bahumali Bhavan that houses the election office on Wednesday and submitted a request for withdrawal of his nomination to the designated official. A video of him purportedly handing over the requisite form and verbally confirming his decision was released later.