32 hopefuls collect nomination forms on the first day

Former IAS officer Arun Bhatia, Lt Col (Retd) Suresh Patil and Col (Retd) Jayantrao Chitale are among the 32 people willing to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Pune constituency. While Patil is known for campaigning against former president Pratibha Patil's palatial bungalow in the city, Chitale is associated with Maharashtra Military Foundation.


Message received: District Collector Saurabh Rao. pic/Mohan Patil

District Collector Saurabh Rao yesterday informed that as many as 32 people took the candidature forms from the district election department. Besides Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Subhash Ware, none of the candidates from renowned political
parties approached the department to collect the form to contest from Pune constituency. Yesterday was the first day of filing nomination for the polls.

"Considering the implementation of model code of conduct, the police have issued non-bailable warrants against 1,535 persons. They even confiscated 2,808 weapons, all illegal, for unwanted possession," said Rao.

He also informed that the vacant place near riverbank in Deccan Gymkhana would be reserved for political rallies for time being. "The proposal has be forwarded to the state government," Rao said.

Locations changed
In an important decision, the district administration decided to change the location of seven polling centres in Shivaji Nagar, Ghorpadi and Nana Peth.

"The polling centres at Ornellas High School in Nana Peth, St Joseph School in Ghopardi and Vidya Bhavan School in Shivaji Nagar have either been shifted to nearby schools or on the same premises with a separate entry and exit point for voters," said Rao.

The decision was taken after the members from Christian community demanded the officials to change the polling centres - located on the church premises - so that community members are able to observe Maundy Thursday (before Good Friday) on April 17, which happens to be voting day in the city.