Thrissur (Kerala), March 21 The filing of nomination papers at the District Collectorate here on Saturday witnessed a tense situation as BJP and CPI candidates argued over who should be allowed to file their papers first, sources said.
While CPI leaders argued that their candidate, Alankode Leelakrishnan, should be allowed first according to the token system, the BJP contended that its nominee, Padmaja Venugopal, had to file her papers within the 'muhurtham' (auspicious time window), which was around 12:30 pm, sources said.
The incident occurred after the UDF candidate, Rajan Pallan, had filed his nomination paper.
Since Pallan's nomination process took some time, the 'muhurtham' set by the BJP approached, and they sought to file Padmaja's nomination before the CPI candidate, according to visuals on TV channels. This was opposed by CPI leaders, including V S Sunil Kumar, who accompanied Leelakrishnan.
They questioned how a 'muhurtham' could supersede the rules governing the nomination filing process.
Subsequently, the CPI leader handed over his papers and left quickly, after which the BJP candidate filed her nomination within the 'muhurtham' window.
The Assembly elections in Kerala will be held on April 9.