Kota: The city saw rising tension Monday – last day to file nominations for upcoming civic elections as BJP finalised its candidate list of all 100 candidates, including five Muslims, while Congress failed to issue its list by the deadline. BJP’s five Muslim candidates are Mohammed Nijam (Ward 6), Mustkim (Ward 45), Yusuf Kakkad (Ward 48), Ada Khan Bhati (Ward 60), Amreen Ansari (Ward 82).Both parties dropped several prominent aspirants, former councillors and office-bearers to promote fresh faces; some who were denied tickets filed as independents. BJP’s Rakesh Jain and Congress leader Naimuddin Guddu submitted their papers at the ADM office/collectorate. Jain said BJP submitted names for all 100 wards; while for Congress it submitted names of 54 candidates (30 Kota North, 24 Ladpura).“The delay in finalising names was due to the overwhelming number of prospective candidates and our commitment to hearing every worker’s voice. There is no dispute. Every worker, whether they received a ticket or not, is equally dear to us, and we will win with combined enthusiasm,“ BJP MLA Kalpna Devi said.Education minister Madan Dilawar reviewed nomination papers of six prospective candidates in Ramganjmandi, finalising tickets including Paras Kanwar (Ward 2), Sausar Bai (Ward 3), Siyaram Vaishnav (Ward 22), Dr RD Verma (Ward 23).Two Congress candidates, Chandrakala Yadav and Nirma Meena, missed filing by two minutes.
