Congress chief snubbed at Priyanka Gandhi's nomination? Here is what happened

The BJP has accused Congress of disrespecting Mallikarjun Kharge after a video showed the party chief waiting outside a room where Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers. However, here is what actually happened, as per India Today's correspondent.

In Short

• Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination papers for Wayanad polls on Wednesday
• BJP shares video showing Kharge waiting outside collector's office
• Says it shows Congress's hatred towards Dalits

The BJP has accused Congress of disrespecting its president Mallikarjun Kharge after a video showed the Dalit leader waiting outside the room where Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers for Wayanad bypolls. The video was shared by several BJP leaders as well as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to accuse the Congress of harbouring hatred for Dalits.

A section of social media users, however, responded by posting pictures of Kharge with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the nomination filing process. Here is what actually happened during Priyanka's nomination filing process on Wednesday, as per the account of India Today's reporter who was present at the time.

Priyanka Gandhi, who is contesting the Wayanad bypolls after the seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, was scheduled to arrive at the district collector's office in Kalpetta to file her nomination at 1 pm after a rally.

However, as she was running behind schedule, Priyanka left the rally midway while Kharge was speaking. She arrived at the collector's office at 1.24 pm with her husband, Robert Vadra, and her son.

The whole process of nomination filing is videographed, as per Election Commission rules. One proposer is enough for candidates of a recognised national or state party.

After Priyanka reached the office, she told the returning officer (RO) that the Congress president, her mother, and brother were held back in a meeting and would arrive soon. She said her husband and son would go out when they arrived.

However, the returning officer said they could come in during the submission of the second set of nomination papers. Priyanka submitted her first set at 1.25 pm.

Minutes later, Sonia Gandhi arrived at the collector's office. Soon, Kharge and Congress MP KC Venugopal arrive at the venue. However, they were not allowed to enter by the guard at the collector's office as the returning officer was scrutinising the papers.

After the procedure was completed, Robert Vadra and his son went out and Kharge entered the collector's office during the submission of the second set of nomination papers.

In fact, Rahul Gandhi was also made to wait outside till the scrutiny of the first set of nomination papers was completed. He was then called inside.

However, only the part where Kharge was seen waiting outside the collector's office went viral and was used by the BJP to attack the Congress.

"The way Mallikarjun Kharge ji was kept out of the room during Priyanka Vadra's nomination today... Similarly, after removing reservation, Rahul Gandhi will deprive the people of the Dalit community of respect and opportunities. If the Gandhi family can insult Kharge ji like this, then one can imagine how much hatred they must have for the Dalit community," the BJP said.