Congress’ Indore Lok Sabha Candidate Withdraws Nomination Amid Allegations of Threats and Torture

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, April 30, 2024: In a dramatic turn of events, Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate from Indore, Akshay Bam, withdrew his nomination on Monday, citing alleged threats and torture. The opposition party’s Madhya Pradesh chief, Jitu Patwari, has leveled serious accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in connection with Bam’s decision.

Three days prior to his withdrawal, an attempt to murder charge under IPC section 307 was added to an old case against Akshay Bam. According to Patwari, Bam faced intimidation and endured various forms of torture throughout the night, leading to his decision to step back from the electoral race.

The roots of this controversy trace back to an incident in October 2007, where Bam, his father Kantilal, and others were accused in a criminal case. However, the situation escalated recently when the victim filed an application in the court of the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC). The victim alleged that one of the accused had fired upon him, prompting the court to accept the plea on April 24. As a result, Bam and his father have been summoned to appear in a sessions court on May 10.

Jitu Patwari, addressing a rally, expressed concern over the implications of Bam’s withdrawal. He questioned whether the people of Indore still had the right to exercise their vote without fear. Patwari emphasized that this issue transcended party lines, urging all citizens who believed in democracy and the strength of constitutional provisions to stand up against what he termed “dictatorship.”

Drawing parallels, Patwari highlighted a similar incident in Surat, Gujarat. In Surat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared elected unopposed after the rejection of Congress nominee Nilesh Kumbhani’s form due to irregularities in the signature of proposers. Patwari criticized the BJP’s actions, asserting that the people of Surat deserved the opportunity to elect their representative through the power of their vote.

Furthermore, Patwari accused the ruling dispensation of misusing official machinery and warned that both democracy and the Constitution were currently under threat.