Jaisalmer: BJP suffered a setback in the Jaisalmer Municipal Council elections after its officially nominated candidate from Ward 23, Jaya Daiya, withdrew her nomination at the last minute, leaving the party with candidates in 44 of the 45 wards.The scrutiny of nomination papers for the civic polls has also been completed. Election officials rejected 151 of the 436 nominations received. Several independent candidates also withdrew their nominations Wednesday.Thursday is the last date for withdrawal of nominations, after which the final list of candidates will be announced.In Ward 23, Daiya’s withdrawal leaves Congress candidate Lakhmon, wife of former municipal chairperson Sumar Khan, in the fray along with four independent candidates.With the BJP candidate out of the contest, the ward is set for a multi-cornered battle between the Congress and independents.The BJP’s setback comes at a crucial stage of the municipal election process, with the final phase of withdrawals likely to alter the contest in several wards before the final list of candidates is announced.
