Jailed AAP MP Sanjay Singh files nomination for Rajya Sabha

Sanjay Singh. File Pic/ PTI

Jailed Aam Aadmi Party Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh, on Monday, arrived in a police van at the Civil Lines venue to officially file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha.

According to a report in ANI, Sanjay Singh's father Dinesh thanked the unflinching support of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) and its members throughout his son's detention. He praised the party's unwavering support for Sanjay Singh and thanked them on behalf of the workers and their families. Dinesh Singh praised the party's policy of avoiding involvement in authoritative politics.

"The party and its workers had trust in him, and they are more upset than his own family on his arrest that Sanjay Singh was punished for speaking the truth...I want to thank the party on behalf of other party workers and my family...The party has taken the right decision by not getting stuck in tyrant politics" Dinesh Singh told ANI.

According to the report, the jailed AAP MP Sanjay Singh's wife, Anita Singh too conveyed her best wishes when he submitted his nomination. She was quoted as saying in ANI report, "First, I would like to extend my warm wishes as he is coming to file his nomination. Our people have gathered here in his support. It will be historic that somebody will come to file a nomination from jail...I also want to extend my warm wishes to CM Arvind Kejriwal who gave such a huge responsibility to him. He will perform his duties well."

The Election Commission has scheduled polling from 9 am to 4 pm in the individual state assembly, with vote counting beginning at 5 pm on January 19.

Previously, a Delhi court allowed Sanjay Singh to sign his renomination papers from prison. The senior AAP politician who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case involving the Delhi excise policy now serves as the party's Uttar Pradesh in-charge.

Swati Maliwal, the former chairman of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), and senior AAP politician ND Gupta have been re-nominated for second terms.

Swati Maliwal, an advocate for women's rights and current chairman of DCW, resigned after being nominated by the AAP for the Rajya Sabha elections. Maliwal previously worked as an advisor to Delhi's Chief Minister and was instrumental in the Indian Anti-Corruption movement.

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai promoted the candidatures of Sanjay Singh and Swati Maliwal to increase women's representation in the Rajya Sabha. Rai confirmed that all candidates participated in the nominating process. "AAP MP Sanjay Singh had represented (the party) earlier also...Former DCW chief Swati Maliwal has also filed her nomination so that the voice of women reaches the Rajya Sabha. All candidates are coming and they will file their nomination," Rai told ANI.