40 nomination papers rejected on scrutiny in Vadodara

Vadodara, Nov 29 (UNI) A total of 96 candidates remained in fray for 13 Assembly seats in Vadodara after nomination papers of 40 candidates were rejected on scrutiny today.

With only a couple of days left for withdrawal of nominations, not a single candidate, including the rebels from both BJP and Congress, withdrew their nomination papers today.

In Vadodara (rural) constituency, BJP's official nominee Upendrasinh Gohil will face sitting party MLA Dilubha Chudasama, a rebel who filed his nomination papers as an independent, following denial of party ticket.

However, the Congress party, which lost all the 13 seats in the district to BJP in the 2002 elections, will face strong rebellion in at least four constituencies -- Vadodara (rural), Padra, Dabhoi and Karjan(sc).

As many as 13 candidates, including former chief minister Chimanlal Patel's son Siddharth Patel, are in fray for Dabhoi constituency after three nominations were rejected there. In tribal- dominated Jetpur seat, five nominations were rejected on scrutiny.

Effectively, there will be a virtual straight fight between three remaining candidates -- Jayantibhai Rathwa (BJP), Mohansinh Rathwa (Congress) and Bhanu Rathwa (independent).

UNI