Maharashtra Elections 2014: Mumbai sees host of cancellations

As many as 67 candidates in Mumbai, including a few prominent ones such as Shiv Sena's Rajul Patel from Versova, and Kuldip Pednekar of NCP from Byculla, faced rejections following scrutiny of their nomination forms by Election Commission on Monday.

Out of the 67 cancellations, 30 are said to be from the island city, and the rest 37 are from suburban Mumbai. As per sources in the Election Commission, the highest, which is 10, rejections took place in Dharavi, followed by nine in Versova, and seven in Sion-Koliwada.

NCP's Neeta Lad from Sion-Koliwada, and Congress's Datta Gavankar from Worli and Uday Fansekar from Sewri, who are learnt to be dummy candidates, are among others whose nominations have been rejected. Nominations of BSP's Madhukar Chavan from Worli, and Anand Salvi from Dharavi have also been termed invalid.

Sources said another crucial rejection was of BJP's Anant Tare, who defected from Sena to file his nomination as BJP candidate. Tare who was to take on Sena's Eknath Shinde, reportedly filed a Xerox copy of the party's B form, which the commission has rejected.

However, Maharashtra in all has seen over 390 rejections so far. Sources in the commission said its the delayed announcement of candidates by major parties and holding on nominations due to inauspicious Shradh for the first few days caused last-minute rush leading to so many cancellations.

In most cases, claimed sources, the rejection was due to candidates' failure in filing the required information in their affidavits. "Some have filed incomplete details, several others have not submitted oath certificates mandated as per constitution," said a senior officer.