Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Dec 22: The scrutiny of nomination papers received for Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat election was conducted on Tuesday December 21. All the nomination papers except two were found to be in order. The two nominations rejected, were filed by JDS candidates from Bantwal  zilla panchayat seat.

December 23 happens to be the last date for the withdrawal of nomination papers. A total of 217 nominations for 35 zilla panchayat seats, and 575 nominations for 129 taluk panchayat seats from Dakshina Kannada district had been received.

The electoral officer rejected the objection raised by the BJP to the candidature of the Congress nominee, Pramod Kumar, from Kateel zilla panchayat constituency. The BJP had said that Pramod, who happens to be the chairman of Water Supply Committee of the gram panchayat, had failed to furnish accounts.

The objection of the BJP that the Congress candidate from Sarapady had failed to attach the original caste certificate to his nomination papers, was also rejected by the electoral officer.

JDS district vice-president, S Mohammed, addressing a press conference at Bantwal on Tuesday, alleged that some unseen hands had played a role in ensuring that the candidatures of Naseema Hassan Sheikh from Pudu constituency, and Meenakshi from Sarapady constituency, both from the JDS, are rejected. He claimed that Naseema, who was identified with the Congress party in the past, commands immense popularity in the region, having worked as gram panchayat president and taluk panchayat member. He alleged that her caste certificate had been left out purposefully, with the sole aim of rejecting her nomination. Saying that even officials had played a role in this rejection, he said that the party will be approaching the election commission with a complaint in this connection.