In a village known for unopposed polls, woman farmer being prevented from filing nomination papers

Patil said the candidate, Ujwala Thite, went to file nominations on three occasions in the last one week. ”However, goons are blocking her way by placing tractors on the roads. She is being chased by goons brandishing sharp weapons. Every trick is being used to prevent her from filing the nomination papers for presidentship of the Nagar panchayat.”

Alleging that a former minister who is now in the BJP was the mastermind, Patil said, “The Angar Nagar panchayat is controlled by a former state minister. He wants all his candidates to get elected unopposed and is therefore trying to trample upon democratic norms by not allowing rival candidates to file nomination papers.”

The NCP said they have alerted District Collector Kumar Ashirwad and Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni and urged them to provide security to the candidate. ”However, nothing has happened so far. Tomorrow is the last day for filing nomination papers..We have no clue what will happen,” he said. When contacted, neither the district collector nor the SP responded.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Ujwala Thite said, ”I have been trying to reach the election office for filing nominations. But on three occasions I had to return without filing nomination papers. Some people are blocking my way by putting an array of vehicles on the roads. There are seven roads to reach the election office. All roads are being blocked.”

Thite said she had approached the District Collector and also the Superintendent of Police. “The SP had directed the local police station to provide me protection. But no police protection has been provided,” she alleged adding that hundreds of people are chasing her away from the village.

The woman, who is a widow, lives in Mohol and the Angar Nagar panchayat is located at a distance of 12 kilometres. “I want the receipts for the payment of my property tax and water tax. I have applied for them. But the Nagar panchayat office is not giving me the receipts. They are refusing to give me a ‘no dues’ certificate. I have also applied for a copy of the draft voters list, which the CEO is refusing to provide…I have also applied for a certificate for constructing toilet and using it. The Nagar panchayat is refusing to give me the certificate. Officials are saying you live in Pune, and therefore we cannot give you the certificate,” she said.

Thite (41), a graduate in arts in Nashik, said she is a first-time candidate. “I have a 28 acre farm. My husband and my in-laws have passed away. I have a son and no one else. I am living in Pune as a political leader and the goons keep threatening me,” she said.