64 file nomination papers; parties yet to select candidates

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 18. Sixty-four persons, including 17 women, on Thursday filed their nomination papers for the elections to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Council. Filing of nomination papers for the polls on November 11 began on Wednesday when 21 aspirants submitted their papers.

Some of those hoping to join the poll fray were waiting for an auspicious time to file their nominations, and they found Thursday to be appropriate. Among those who filed their papers on Thursday were 28 from the Congress, three from BJP, four from the JD(U), six from the JD(S), four from other parties, and 19 independents.

Eighty-five nominations have been filed for the elections. On Thursday, seven candidates from the Scheduled Castes, eight from the BC(A) category, and 49 from the general category filed their papers.

The major political parties are yet to complete the process of selecting candidates. The JD(S), which invited aspirants to an interview on Thursday, received over 500 applications for the party ticket.

Several JD(S) leaders, including the President of the State unit of the party, Mr. Siddaramaiah, held separate interviews with the ticket aspirants. On an average, 16 aspirants have sought the party ticket from each ward, according to party sources. The JD(S) is contemplating forging an alliance with the AIADMK, the CPI, or the CPI(M), for the polls, sources said.

Congress observers, who have been seeking the opinion of the voters for finalising the party candidates, will shortly submit a report to the District Congress Committee (DCC). The report will be forwarded to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for deciding on candidates, party leaders said.

The BJP's City unit is holding meetings with the presidents of its block units to finalise candidates.

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Section  : Southern States
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