Surat: In a big blow to the Congress’s poll prospects, two of its candidates in the Patidar-dominated municipal ward number 3 in Varachha withdrew their candidature on Tuesday. As many as 13 other candidates belonging to various small parties and independents also withdrew their candidatures on the last date of withdrawals on Tuesday.
Sources in the Congress party said Kanji Algotar and Jyoti Sojitara, both Congress candidates from ward number 3 of Varachha-Sarthana, withdrew their candidatures.
It must be noted that PAAS leader Alpesh Kathiriya had earlier stated that the Congress candidates will withdraw their candidatures in support of the Patidar samaj. Kathiriya had claimed two days ago that about 12 Congress candidates may withdraw nomination papers on the last day.
Earlier, Dharmik Malaviya, who was given ticket by the Congress from ward number 3 was the first to withdraw his candidature, after the PAAS leaders were unhappy with the ticket distribution strategy of the party.
Sources in the district collector’s office said that on the last day of the withdrawal of candidature, 484 candidates are left to contest the upcoming municipal elections. The nominations of all the 120 BJP candidates are valid, said officials.
However, Congress is left with 117 candidates now, while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be contesting on the 114 seats in the 30 ward municipal election.
Sources said that a total of 15 candidates withdrew their nominations, which included three candidates from Congress and the other 13 also include independents. A total of 55 independents and 78 candidates from other regional parties are in the fray from various municipal wards.