More than 600 candidates filed their nomination papers on the last day for filing nominations to contest from Assembly constituencies going to polls in the first phase.

The scrutiny of the papers will be held on Thursday, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 26. These 89 assembly segments, across 11 districts, will go to the polls on May 10.

The last day saw candidates making a beeline to file their nominations, as the day happened to be Sankashtahara Chaturthi, considered auspicious, and a day recommended by astrologers to kickstart new ventures, including electoral prospects.

Returning officers (ROs) of various assembly constituencies had to work overtime as candidates from major political parties, rebel candidates and even independents made a beeline to their offices to file their nominations.

There was a dash of numerology too. Number 23 happens to add up to five - which is considered lucky.  Mysore district witnessed the biggest rush, with 138 candidates filing their nominations on the last day. In BBMP limits, as many as 81 candidates filed their nominations.

1,700 in fray

While the  final list of candidates will be clear only on Sunday (after the last day for withdrawal of nominations), around 1,700 candidates are presently in fray. The highest number is in Bangalore Urban (395) followed by Mysore district (362). Madikeri has the least number of candidates (22) followed by Bangalore Rural (36).

Prominent among those who filed their nominations on Wednesday include former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the Congress. Several former ministers including D K Shivakumar,  Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok also entered the poll fray on Wednesday.

Siddaramaiah filed his papers from Varuna constituency in Mysore, and Naidu and Ashok from Hebbal and Padmanabhanagar in Bangalore respectively. R Roshan Baig filed his nomination from Shivajinagar.

Cine star Ambareesh and Congress MP filed his nomination from Srirangapatna.