Kalavati finally withdraws her nomination

Kalavati Bandurkar, who shot to fame after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi mentioned her name in the Parliament, withdrew her nominations today from contesting Assembly polls.

According to the chief of Vidharba Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) Kishor Tiwari, Kalavati was forced and threatened to withdraw her nomination by the Congress. "Kalavati's withdrawal is forceful and unfortunate. She was under pressure from the Congress," said Tiwari.

The VJAS has replaced Kalavati with Babitai Bais to contest as an independent candidate. "Our mission of representing the problems of widows of farmers will never die. If not Kalavati, then Babitai will contest for us," said Tiwari.

Earlier on Friday both Kalavati and Babitai had filed their nominations from the Wani constituency of Yavatmal district.