Today is the last date for withdrawal of candidature for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. Political parties are gearing up for the polls on 21st of this month.

In Maharashtra, after the scrutiny of the nominations, 4739 candidates were found valid out of 5543 candidates. But there are many rebels from the main parties including BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP in the fray and these parties are busy trying to pacify the rebels and convince them to withdraw the nominations. AIR correspondent reports that rebels in different parties have become the main hazard in the ambition of political parties in the assembly elections in  Maharashtra and parties like BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP are trying hard to convince their rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations.

Strongmen like Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state minister Chandrakant Patil are busy in the efforts to pacify the rebels. Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP are also facing similar challenges and leaving no stone unturned in their efforts. These parties have the fear of split in votes and also the possibility of surprise defeat. Many leader willing to contest the election have filed their nominations as independent candidates after not getting the tickets from their parties. Nominations can be withdrawn till 3pm today.
In Haryana, a galaxy of top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be campaigning in the state over the next few days. Mr Modi will be addressing four rallies across Haryana over two days. A party statement says he will address the first rally at Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district on October 14 and on October 15, he will address three more rallies in Dadri, Thanesar and Hisar.

Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah, party’s working president J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also address election meetings in the run-up to the polls. On October 9, Mr Shah will address rallies in Kaithal, Hisar, Bhiwani and Rohtak districts. The BJP has 48 members in the outgoing assembly. It has set a target of winning 75-plus seats in the 90-member House.