3508 file papers amid chaos and confusion
After eight years since the last elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) were conducted, election process to the City Council has attracted a massive number in terms of candidates in fray for the the BBMP Council.
Over the past one week between March 8 to March 15, as many as 3,508 aspirants filed their nomination papers with their respective ward offices.
The last day of filing nominations saw a flutter of hectic activities in front of the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) premises. Amid the anticipated confusion due to the delay in releasing the final list of candidates by major political powerhouses like Congress and BJP, activities were marked with chaos and celebrations.
Crackers, prayers and slogans marked the day as the Congress, JD (S) and BJP ticket holders came with their supporters in large numbers , making a display, to file their ‘B’ forms.
Rebels turn independents
This apart, rebel candidates who were disappointed by their respective parties were also found filing their affidavits to contest as independents.
Some others staged protests against Party leaders for denying them tickets.
At the Central nodal office, 117 Congress party candidates filed their nominations along with 57 BJP aspirants and 40 JD(S) ticket holders. 244 candidates from other fringe parties and independents also filed their nominations.
Last date
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be conducted on March 17, with the last date for withdrawal of nominations being March 19.
The elections to the BBMP is scheduled to be conducted on March 28.
BJP gives two B forms for one ward
In a major goof-up, the Bharatiya Janata Party gave away separate B Forms to two candidates to contest the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike elections from Rajamahal Guttahalli ward. The party had earlier given the B Form to M S Sheela to contest the election and made M Vijayakumari as her substitute in the event of Sheela not contesting the polls. However, the party reportedly gave B Form to Vijayakumari also. Surprised by this move by the party functionaries, Sheela shot off a letter to the party top-notch asking them to clear the air. Party sources said the goof-up could be rectified only with the withdrawal of the nomination paper by anyone of them by March 19.
