Mumbai civic polls: 367 candidates withdraw nominations

The state election commission saw 367 candidates withdrawing from the civic elections to be held on February 21. The total number of candidates now contesting are 2,276. In 2012, this number was 2,232.

Civic officials working with the election department said most of the nominations that were taken back were of independent candidates.

One Shiv Sena rebel, Mahesh Sawant, who had filed a nomination as an independent candidate from Dadar, has not taken back his nomination yet. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said during a rally that there were many Sena party workers who were keen to contest but could not be given a ticket. He had asked people to withdraw nominations and be united for the party. A sitting corporator from the Matunga area, Nayana Seth, who filed her nomination as an independent this time after being denied a Congress ticket also withdrew. BJP candidate Deepali Matkarhai from the S ward was among those who withdrew. “There were a few cases where members of the same family filed nominations, fearing rejection. In one case from Andheri, a father and son filed forms. After the father’s nomination was approved, the son withdrew,” said a returning officer, not wishing to be named. With the contesting candidates final, citizens have 10 candidates on an average in each ward to choose from when they go to vote.

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