Nomination process in Aligarh, Mathura to pick up this week

AGRA: With merely four days left for the nomination process to end, the coming week is likely to see hectic political activity in Aligarh and Mathura, the two Lok Sabha seats of Braj going to poll in second phase.

To note, none of major players has filed nomination in both districts yet. In Aligarh, 18 candidates have purchased nomination papers but none filed nomination last week. Fifteen candidates purchased papers on Thursday and three on Saturday. They included candidates of Samajwadi Party, BJP and

BSP. According to sources, sitting MP and candidate for BJP Satish Gautam will file nomination on Monday. Prominent parties have declared their candidates for Aligarh and sitting MP Satish Gautam is in the race for the third time after winning in 2014 and 2019. He is being challenged by former MP and SP candidate Bijendra Singh and BSP candidate Gufran Noor besides candidates from other parties and independents who will file nomination in these four days . Nomination process is also on in Mathura which too is to go to polls in the second phase on April 26. More than 20 candidates have purchased nomination papers in Mathura in the past week and one independent filed papers on Saturday.

In Mathura, two-time and sitting MP Hema Malini is the BJP candidate but the name of Congress candidates is yet to be officially declared while speculations are on about boxer Vijendra Singh contesting from Mathura. Initially the BSP had fielded Kamal Kant Upmanyu but speculations are rife about retired IRS Suresh Singh replacing him. However, an official declaration is awaited.

The last date for nomination is April 4 followed by scrutiny on April 05. Candidates opting to withdraw names will be allowed to do so till 3 pm on April 8 and thereafter party and individual symbols will be allotted to candidates. Candidates from general category are to deposit Rs 25,000 and for SC/ST candidate security deposit is Rs 12,500.

IN ALIGARH, 18 CANDIDATES HAVE PURCHASED NOMINATION PAPERS BUT NONE FILED NOMINATION LAST WEEK.