Narendra Modi's namesake Narendra Babulal Modi pulls out of contest in Vadodara

An independent candidate called Narendra Babulal Modi today withdrew his nomination from the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency, leaving eight candidates in the fray including the Gujarat Chief Minister.

His reason for withdrawing could not be ascertained.

Today was the last day of withdrawal.

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress's Madhusudhan Mistry are the main contestants here.

Vinod Rao, district returning officer, said that of the 17 nomination forms received, eight were rejected.

Yesterday, Rao had sought clarification from Sunil Kulkarni of AAP and Narendra Babulal Modi after BJP alleged that both had suppressed some mandatory information in their forms.

Today, Rao rejected the objections after the two candidates provided necessary information but Narendra Modi's namesake eventually pulled out.

The other candidates in the fray are: Madhusudhan Rohit (BSP), Jadav Ambalalal K (JDU), Pathan Sahebkhan (SP), Pathan Mehmudkhan (Apnadesh) and Tapan Dasgupta (SUCI). The polling is scheduled for April 30.