Ahmedabad: The scrutiny process for the upcoming local body elections has dealt a setback to the Congress, with several candidates’ nomination forms rejected and others withdrawing from the fray. In the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections, the party has effectively lost two seats to the BJP.

In the first case, Congress candidate Bharat Bharwad had filed his nomination for the Sarkhej ward. However, the party has alleged that he was forced to withdraw his nomination under pressure from the BJP.

Meanwhile, in Vasna, the Congress’s OBC candidate, Falguniben, did not turn up to file nomination papers. As a result, BJP candidate Bhagwatiben Bharwad is set to be elected unopposed from the ward.

Thaltej Seat Under Watch

In the Thaltej ward, there were reports that the nomination form of Congress candidate Ramilaben Dineshbhai Thakor might be cancelled after some of her supporters withdrew their backing. However, Returning Officer Partha Mishra clarified that the form has not been cancelled so far.

Congress state spokesperson Manish Doshi alleged that the BJP is attempting to force Congress candidates to withdraw or face cancellation of their nominations through intimidation.