With a Gazetted holiday and an inauspicious date devouring another day from the remaining four days left for filing papers, candidates cutting across party lines are busy consulting astrologers for the Shubh Muhurat for nomination.
Astrologers have advised candidates against filing papers on November 13, as they consider number 13 inauspicious. As November 15 is a gazetted holiday due to Muharram, the only dates left for nomination is November 14 and November 16, which is the last date for filing papers. “I was supposed to file nomination papers on November 15, as earlier Muharrum was scheduled for November 14. Now the holiday for Muharram is on November 15, I will have to file my nomination papers on November 14,” Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Harun Yusuf told The Pioneer.
However, considering the options, candidates only have Thursday (November 14) which does not have astrological impediment. On Tuesday, the 55 Congress candidates whose names were finalised late on Monday were busy collecting symbols and fulfilling other formalities. The party is yet to announce 15 more names. Those given tickets in the second list will have to file papers on Saturday, the last day for filing the papers.
According to electoral office, total 60 nominations were filed on Tuesday. When asked, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that she will file her nomination papers on Saturday. PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan will also file his nomination paper on November 16, claiming that Saturday is auspicious for him.
Panfit Jai Shastri, an astrologer of Mathura said, “13 is considered as inauspicious in astrology as it can never be divided. If we consider the numbers according to Sanatan Dharma, after 11 we count 21 for performing auspicious tasks, hence people are wary of doing anything that may impact their lives. As far as Saturday is considered, it brings good tidings for those with Acquarius and Pisces signs. Hence it brings good luck to them”.
Congress MlA from Uttam Nagar Mukesh Sharma said that he will file his nomination papers on Saturday as it bring good tidings for those with Aquarius and Pisces signs. “Hence it brings good luck to them,” Sharma said. Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami stated that he will have to consult his astrologers before filing his nomination paper. He stated that last date of filing of nomination is 16 that falls on Saturday and it is considered inauspicious in Hindu mythology. “Similarly, 13th is also considered bad date for performing major tasks,” Goswami said.
Urban Development Minister Arvinder Singh lovely said that he will file his nomination on 13th as this number is considered auspicious to him. Congress candidate Naseeb Singh stated that he will file his nomination paper on November 14. Congress candidate Neeraj Basoya said that he will also file his nomination on November 14 as 13th is not a good date for him.
BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri who also believes in astrology said that he would file his nomination on November 14. “Earlier, he had planned to file his paper on November 12 but the party has not given symbol till Tuesday night that’s why he would file by Thursday,” Bidhuri said.