Belagavi: 185 candidates remain in poll fray

Belagavi: Total 185 candidates remained in the election fray of Belagavi district on Monday, the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers. After withdrawal of nominations by 47 candidates till evening, 172 male candidates and 13 female candidates remained in the ring.
As many as 360 nominations had been registered with the Election Commission from all 18 assembly constituencies in the district. Some had filed multiple nominations. Finally, just 185 remained in the field.
In Ramdurg constituency, eight nominations were withdrawn, including that of sitting MLA Mahadevappa Yadawad. After BJP denied him ticket, he had filed nomination as an independent candidate.
However, after deliberations and convincing by the senior leaders of the party, Yadawad withdrew his nomination on Monday and decided to continue in the party. Second highest, six nominations were withdrawn in Gokak, the constituency represented by former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. Interestingly, all the candidates who withdrew their nominations have extended their support to Congress candidate Dr Mahantesh Kadadi.
Both BJP and Congress have fielded candidates in all 18 constituencies while JD(S) has candidates in 16 constituencies except Gokak and Raibag. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded total 15 candidates in the district. This apart, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) has contested in eight segments.
There are 67 independent candidates in the field and 43 candidates from various registered unrecognised political parties.
Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has fielded five candidates in Belagavi (North), Belagavi (South), Belagavi (Rural), Khanapur and Yamakanmaradi segments. However, MES candidates are counted as independents. tnn