Sikri has highest number of contestants in west UP

AGRA: With 35 candidates filing their nominations for the Lok Sabha elections this time, the Fatehpur Sikri seat has the highest number of contestants in western UP. However, some may withdraw from the race by April 10, the last day of withdrawal of their nomination.
According to sources, this does not augur well for the bigger parties as the presence of a large number of independent candidates will scatter Jat and Muslim votes.
According to the data declared by the Election Commission, 25 candidates have filed nominations from Agra, Mathura and Firozabad, respectively. The lowest number of candidates — only 14 — are from Mainpuri.
Among other cities in different divisions of west UP, Moradabad has 18 contestants while 13 candidates are testing the poll waters from Meerut this time.
Aligarh, Bijnor, Hathras, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit and Badaun have less than 15 candidates who have filed their papers.
Among the 35 candidates from Fatehpur Sikri, 70% are independents. The big names from national parties are worried that these independent candidates may upset their vote equations.
“It is obvious that independent candidates will only spread out the votes. But if we see the record of the region as well as of the nation, independent candidates never win,” said Narendra Dhangar, RLD district head.
KK Bharadwaj, BJP spokesperson from Sikri said they have a strong candidate from the region but the large number of independent candidates could affect the margin of victory votes, which is also important for setting a record.