689 nominees left in Chhattisgarh phase 2

Raipur, Nov 6 (UNI) With 124 candidates pulling out of the race in the second and final phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, 689 nominees are left in the fray for 51 seats across eight districts.

''Today was the last day for withdrawal of candidature. The district-wise break-up of contesting nominees is Koriya 38, Surguja 125, Jashpur 26, Raigarh 59, Korba 61, Bilaspur 136, Janjgir-Champa 68 and Raipur 176. All independent candidates were allotted symbols today,'' Deputy Electoral Officer Arvind Dixit told UNI.

Polling is scheduled for November 20 and counting on December 8.

Congress MLA Chandrabhan Barmate, who submitted papers as a rebel at Mungeli, later withdrew. On the other hand, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shivpratap Singh's son has decided to stand his ground as a rebel in Surguja district's Bhatgaon. The BJP could not convince rebel Veerendra Pandey to pull out from Raipur West.

UNI AS AC PK BST2207