The race for control of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) is heating up, with a massive number of aspirants throwing their hats into the ring. A total of 813 candidates have submitted nomination forms for the 81 available seats, setting the stage for a highly competitive civic election.
Scrutiny Process Leads to Disqualifications and Tension
The formal scrutiny of these nominations, conducted on Wednesday, was a tense affair at the election offices across Kolhapur. The process resulted in the disqualification of 21 candidates. To ensure a smooth and efficient review, returning officers were instructed to strictly monitor proceedings and avoid wasting time on frivolous objections raised by rivals.
Candidates and their supporters began gathering at the regional offices from 10 am, nearly an hour before the scrutiny commenced. Notably, candidates contesting on party symbols were accompanied by their lawyers, who occupied the front rows at all seven regional offices during the verification process.
Common Reasons for Nomination Rejection
The returning officers meticulously announced each candidate from a particular ward and presented their documents before the attendees. Several nominations faced rejection due to technical errors and incomplete paperwork. Key reasons for disqualification included:
- Incorrectly filled nomination forms.
- Candidates forgetting to sign their nomination papers.
- Submission of forms without adequate supporting documents.
- Valid objections raised by opposing candidates.
High Participation Echoes 2015 Election Trends
The current surge in candidate participation draws a parallel to the previous civic elections held in 2015. During that poll, 832 candidates had filed nominations, with major parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP, Jan Surajya Shakti Party, and RPI(A) contesting all 81 seats independently.
This time, despite pre-poll alliances between some parties, the number of interested candidates remains nearly the same. Political observers note an interesting trend: following the legacy of their leaders who have switched loyalties in the past, many party workers (karyakartas) have adopted a similar independent strategy, a move that has reportedly shocked several party office-bearers.
With the candidate list now finalized post-scrutiny, Kolhapur is poised for a vibrant and closely watched democratic exercise to elect its new municipal body.
