With Friday being the last day forwithdrawal of nominations filed for the elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, the mainstream political parties are allegedly out to eliminate challenges to their candidates from nominees of residents’ welfare associations (RWAs).
On Thursday, scores of workers of a major political party allegedly visited an RWA candidate at his residence at 7 am and attempted to influence him into withdrawing his nominations.
The party workers allegedly told the senior citizen that if he pulled out of the fray, he would be rewarded with a good position in the party and made chairman of a committee.
“The person in question is a senior citizen in the area and lives with his wife. Recurrence of such incidents would only render the elderly couple vulnerable,” a Loksatta volunteer told DNA.
Ramalakshmi, president of the Loksatta party, said a complaint would be lodged with the state election commission about the attempts being made by the political party to lure the Loksatta candidate. She said there were several instances of candidates of major parties exerting pressure on RWA nominees.
RWAs are contesting the civic polls on a large scale this time, creating a flutter among the parties.
Former mayor and Congress leader PR Ramesh described the RWAs entering the political arena as a positive development, but said they posed no threat.
Meanwhile, 52 candidates on Thursday withdrew from the fray. With this, about 2170 candidates remain in the poll arena.
The SEC also witnessed protests by JD(S) and Congress workers. They alleged that BJP candidate in Kamakshipalya ward, K Ranganna, had made false claims in his declaration of assets and his nomination should be rejected.
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