965 candidates in fray for phase-I UP poll; Mulayam files paper

Lucknow, Mar 20 (UNI) Altogether 656 candidates, including Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, today filed their papers on the last day of filing nomination for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh poll in 62 assembly constituencies spread over 13 districts, where polling is slated on April 7.

Now, a total of 965 candidates are in fray for the first phase of poll with the highest 32 candidates from Soro seat in Etah district, followed by 29 nominations for Agra Cantonment and 24 from Govindnagar seat in Kanpur.

Mauranipur (SC) in Jhansi district has the lowest number of 5 candidates, followed by eight candidates in Garautha seat in the same district.

Chief minister Yadav, several of his ministerial colleagues and leaders of other political parties, were among the people who filed their nomination on the last day. Mr Yadav filed his nomination from Bharthana assembly seat in Etawah district, where 15 candidates are in fray.

Tomorrow, the Returning Officers, in the presence of central Observers, will scrutinise the nomination papers, while March 23 is the last date of withdrawal of nominations for the first phase.

Meanwhile, for the second phase of polling for 58 assembly seats in 10 districts, where polling is slated on April 13, 35 candidates filed their nomination papers. Now, a total of 40 candidates are in fray in the second phase so far.

Candidates can file their nominations till March 24, while scrutiny of papers will be done on March 26 in the second phase.

Nomination can be withdrawn till March 28.

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