The Hindu 08.10.2010
6,717 candidates in the race for local body election
Staff Reporter
378 candidates from 74 divisions will contest for the corporation council.
KOCHI: With the last date for withdrawal of nominations ending on Thursday, 6,717 candidates remained in the race for 111 local bodies in the district.
For 84 grama panchayats, 4,425 candidates would seek people’s mandate. Out of the 7,631 candidates who originally filed nominations, 534 were rejected after the scrutiny while another 2,672 withdrew their nominations.
In the district panchayat, 122 candidates will contest in 26 divisions. While 170 candidates submitted nominations, four were rejected in the scrutiny and 44 withdrew their nominations.
Fourteen block panchayats will witness contests among 579 candidates. While 363 candidates withdrew nominations, 32 nominations were rejected in the scrutiny.
The district with the most number of municipalities will have 1,213 candidates fighting it out to enter the 11 councils. By Thursday, 661 candidates withdrew from the contest adding to the 11 nomination rejected earlier.
In Kochi Corporation, 378 candidates from 74 divisions remained in the fray. The number of nominations withdrawn were 174 in addition to the earlier rejection of eight nominations.
In the district panchayat, Alangad had the most number of candidates — 10. Malayatoor division would be a focal point as CPI(M) and the Congress (I) candidates are pitted in a direct fight.
Besides, stage is set for a triangular contest in Karukutty, Rayamangalam, Valakam, Udayamperur, Kumbalanghi, Puthencruz, Kolanchery, Vallarpadam, and Moothakunnam divisions with Bharatiya Janata Party also coming into the picture alongside the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front candidates. In the first 25 divisions of the corporation, which fall predominantly within the limits of western Kochi, 156 candidates were in the fray. Hundred and fifteen candidates remained in divisions 26 to 50, which covered central district areas like Edappally, Palarivattom, and Chakkaraparambu.
In divisions 51 to 74 covering areas like Thripunithura, Vyttila, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam south and north, 107 candidates were in the fray.
The defacement squad of the district returning officer seized 696 illegally exhibited campaign materials from across various taluks on Thursday. This included 27 boards, 20 banners, 42 flex boards, 21 flags, and 576 posters. Cases had been registered against various political parties in this connection. Three cases had been taken in Kanayannur taluk, two each in Aluva and Kochi, eight in Paravur, 13 each in Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam, and ten cases in Kunnathunadu taluk.
