The election officials have rejected the nomination papers of Congress candidate K Maheshwari from Hongasandra ward in Bommanahalli Assembly constituency.

During the scrutiny of papers, the officials found that the caste certificate submitted by Maheshwari was not in order and hence rejected her papers. Thus, there will be no Congress candidate from the ward.

Incidentally, the JD(S) has not fielded its candidate from Hongasandra, which means it will be a fight between the BJP and the Independents. It is said that the BJP leaders were making efforts to ensure that the Independent candidates withdrew from the fray.

Meanwhile, officials clarified that the nomination papers of Congress candidate from the Ejipura ward had been accepted and had not been rejected, as reported in a section of media. The officials who had sought certain documents for verification from candidate Ramachandra, accepted his papers on Wednesday.

In all, the nomination papers of 103 candidates, including that of JD(S) candidate Rakesh Jain from Kacharakanahalli ward have been rejected. A clear picture of the total number of candidates in fray will emerge on Thursday, the last day for the withdrawal of candidature.