At least 150 nominees pull out in MP

Bhopal, Nov 10 (UNI) At least 150 candidates, most of them either independent or dummies, pulled out of the race on the last day for withdrawal of candidature in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party's Ramakant Sharma bowed out of the contest from Panna district's Pawai while the Bahujan Samaj Party's Govind Singh withdrew from Sagar district's Surkhi.

The district-wise withdrawal break-up -- as per reports received thus far -- was Seoni 28, Harda 1, Sehore 20, Ratlam 14, Guna 7, Rajgarh 4, Chhatarpur 15, Khandwa 12, Badwani 10, Indore 13, Mandsaur 12, Shivpuri 7 and Umaria 5.

In Harda district's Timarni, Bharatiya Janata Party rebel and state Minister Vijay SHah's brother Sanjay is still standing his ground as an independent as is the case with state Congress Secretary Abhay Mehta who is contesting Sehore district's Ichchawar.

A total of 4,505 candiates, including 369 women, submitted nomination parers until Friday. More than 600 were rejected during scrutiny on Saturday.

All 230 constituencies would witness polling on November 27 and counting is scheduled for December 8.

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