Nagpur : The political dust gathered storm on Saturday when candidates from various political parties zoomed out in astounding numbers to file their candidature on the last day of submitting nominations for the ensuing assembly polls. Since morning every nook and corner of the city started witnessing political noise with the leaders getting out along with their supporters, amidst lauding of slogans, all mixed with political fervour. In view of ongoing Navratri festival, this dance of democracy added another visual treat to Nagpur citizens in the form of ‘Poll Garba’ that filled the streets in political colors. Entire process of filing nomination went smooth without any reports of tiff or tussle, as was expected this year in view of broken big alliances.
Heavy police bandobast
Unlike every year, this year the fragments of candidates have scattered beyond limit as all the allying parties – BJP-Shiv Sena and Congress-NCP displayed their might in their solo moves. Extra tight security was brought into force as the day marked the end of filing nominations. As per the directives of Election Commission officials, CCTV cameras were installed at Tehsil office where all the party candidates culminated along with the sea of their supporters. CCTVs were also deployed at city’s prominent junctions to check for the law and order situation.
Nitin Raut emerges with big show
As far as show of strength went, Nitin Raut, Congress candidate from North Nagpur scored quite high over his party’s other candidates as well as candidates from forged alliance and opposition. Huge turnout of supporters was witnessed at Raut’s procession as he proceeded towards Collectorate to file his nomination. Placards bearing the pictures of Raut were swayed everywhere by his supporters, filling the air with conducive atmosphere for him. Given the strength he displayed, signs of him winning can be gauged with precision. Raut was assisted with Anees Ahmed, Congress candidate from Central Nagpur assembly constituency. Ahmed rode the same jeep and was seen alongside Raut cheering the party workers from atop.
Totwani, Chaturvedi gains attention
Similarly, Panju Totwani who left BJP to join Shiv Sena also caught due amount of attraction as he was the hot talk of the town for his move in the aftermath of Sena-BJP discord. Totwani’s sudden shift from BJP has dealt a big jolt to the saffron party.
Breaking the hiatus this time, Satish Chaturvedi has come out of political hibernation and filed his nomination from South Nagpur assembly seat, as Congress high-command has chosen him over its serving MLA Dinanath Padole from this seat.
Padole goes off track, files from NCP
Cornered by Congress this time Padole eventually took a quick turn and entered NCP bastion to file nomination from South Nagpur assembly constituency in order to stake his claim. Apart from Chaturvedi, Padole will also have to face Kiran Pandav from Shiv Sena who also filed nomination from this seat on Saturday.
Among others who filed nomination are Congress first time candidate Abhijit Wanjari from West Nagpur and Congress candidate from South-West Nagpur constituency Prafulla Gudadhe Patil.
Hordes of independent candidates also walked up to the tehsil office along with their handful of supporters.The final tally on the total number of candidates from all the parties along with independent aspirants was not issued at the time of going to post.
