Rebels make it tough for parties

Hyderabad: Few case of oversight in candidates’ affidavits by election returning officials have been found during scrutiny.

In the TS election website, it has been identified that two candidates standing from Malkajgiri (Ward No. 134) – C. Vijaya Shanthi and T. Sujata Reddy – have declared TRS as their party in the affidavit. Both were approved by officials though the actual TRS candidate is Ms Vijaya Shanthi while Ms T. Sujata is an Independent candidate.

A GHMC Election wing staff said, “All parties issued the B-form post nominations and hundreds of candidates believing that they might get the ticket had filed nominations. A few hundreds have filed from a single party, but only the name mentioned in the party’s B-form is considered as the official party candidate and the rest will be considered as Independent. Usually for withdrawal a complete process is needed, but many avoid withdrawal and decide to contest, thus the party name still reflects in the affidavit.”

The TRS has the highest number of rebel candidates – 307 – contesting from all the 150 wards, followed by TDP that has 252 candidates for 92 wards.

The TDP and BJP alliance have agreed to face elections with the TDP fielding candidates for 92 wards and BJP for 68. The BJP ticket holders will have to face 182 rebel candidates.  

The Congress, which has decided to contest in 146 wards in Greater Hyderabad, will face 230 rebels. The AIMIM meanwhile will have to face over six rebel candidates.