Assembly polls: Rush for filing nomination papers likely only after Pitru Paksha

Going by the belief, political candidates could have only last three days in their hands to file nomination papers with office of election authorities likely to witness more rush during these days, which also mark initial days of annual Navaratri festival.

A local BJP leader said there was no problem if the aspirants filed their nomination papers after Pitru Paksha. “It is purely a matter of faith and cannot be termed as superstition. Pitru Paksha is an age-old tradition and it is strictly a personal choice for any leader to abide by its dos and donts,” he said.

A local Congress activist said many leaders cutting across party lines were earlier apprehensive about filing nomination papers during Pitru Paksha. “Aspirants have at least three auspicious days to file nominations and therefore they are feeling relieved.

Election comes once in five years and nobody wants to take chances considering huge competition within and outside the party,” he said.

As per the schedule for Maharashtra Assembly polls, nomination papers have to be filed between September 20 and September 27 while October 1 is the date for withdrawal of forms.

Shripal Lalwani, city executive president of rationalist movement Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), said not filing nomination papers during Pitru Paksha would amount to superstition among political leaders.

“Maharashtra, known as progressive state, has framed anti-superstition and anti-black magic law around a year ago. It would be a public shame if our leaders stick to superstition such as not filing their nomination papers during so-called ominous period. On the contrary, we would like to appeal all politicians to file their nominations in ‘Pitru Paksha’ and lead by example,” he said.