Surat: Dramatic scenes were witnessed on the final day for withdrawal of nominations in Bharuch and Navsari on Tuesday.Two Congress candidates pulled out in Bharuch, resulting in an uncontested victory for the BJP. In Ward 5 of the municipality, Congress candidate Rajvir Vasava withdrew his nomination, leaving BJP candidate Devendra Vasava as the sole contender. With no other candidates, the BJP won the seat unopposed.In Ward 4, Congress candidate Manish Jadhav also withdrew his nomination, triggering tense scenes at the office where the process was being carried out. Congress leaders alleged that they were not allowed to enter the premises during the withdrawal process, leading to an uproar.Arguments and scuffles broke out between Congress workers and the police, with party supporters raising slogans against the police. Allegations that individuals other than the candidate were allowed inside the office further aggravated the situation.The situation was later brought under control and Jadhav was escorted to his house under police protection.In Navsari district, a Congress candidate for the district panchayat from Rumla village also withdrew his nomination. Rumla is the native village of tribal development minister Naresh Patel.With the seat going to the BJP unopposed, Patel and BJP workers celebrated with dancing and music.In the Navsari Municipal Corporation elections, BJP candidates in Ward 8 and Ward 11 were also declared elected unopposed after all other candidates withdrew their nominations.Navsari district BJP members said that the party had won 58 seats across the district panchayat, taluka panchayats, municipalities and the municipal corporation uncontested. However, the actual number is believed to be lower, as Congress MLA Anant Patel reportedly moved 150 candidates to an undisclosed location to thwart withdrawals.
