1,342 candidates in fray; 828 withdraw nominations
BBMP Polls: Political parties breathe easy as rebels pull out
The three major political parties succeeded in overcoming the revolt in their camps with a majority of the dissidents withdrawing their nomination papers on Friday for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections. Palike sources said a total of 1,342 candidates are now in the fray with 828 withdrawing from the contest.
This brought respite to candidates of all three major political parties of the State –– the ruling BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular). While Congress has fielded candidates in all 198 wards, BJP fielded candidates in 197 wards except Shivaji Nagar and JD(S) has fielded 194 candidates. Lok Satta has five candidates. Also in the fray are the CPM, CPI and the NCP, which will fight under the umbrella of the Civic Front.
Till Tuesday, there were a sizeable number of rebels from all political parties. But two days of hectic exercise by the bigwigs of all the political parties calmed the resentment. While JD(S) did not face much turmoil, the Congress and the BJP were the most affected.
According to party sources, there were at least 400 rebels in the Congress and about 200 in the BJP. The picture in the Congress was very tumultuous with rebels going on a rampage before crews of news channels and media persons. Threats and pressure tactics were being placed on rebels and independents to ensure smooth passage for various political parties.
The Karnataka Youth Congress, after much persuasion from their leader Krishna Byregowda, withdrew their nominations on Friday. Thirty candidates from the Youth Congress had filed their nominations as independents earlier last week after being denied a ticket from the Congress to contest the BBMP polls.
In Subramanayanagar, it was alleged that BJP party workers had even used threats and pressure on an independent candidate, Nandini Shivkumar. “In the morning, some BJP workers had tried to use some pressure tactics on us. We have not budged. Our candidate is standing in the fray,” said a supporter of the independent candidate.
