Tuesday was the first day a candidate could file his/her nomination papers for contesting in the Assembly elections, but only 29 — most of them Independents — did so. One of the factors for the dull turnout: the belief that Tuesday is “inauspicious” to begin anything new.
“Adding to this, it is a day after new moon day (Amavasye). Filing closer to full moon day is considered auspicious,” admitted a candidate. In fact, many candidates of the BJP and the Congress did not take ‘B’ forms because it was a Tuesday. Nominations of just 29 constituencies were received out of 224 across the State. “There are multiple reasons for the delay. The official party candidates need ‘B’ form to file their nominations, which may not have reached them, or they may not have come to Bengaluru to collect them from their respective party officers also,” said a source in the Election Commission, but admitted that the influence of astrology was strong. “Candidates look for a favourable date and time to file their papers,” he said.
Candidates can file nominations till April 24.
Of those who filed nominations on Tuesday, 16 were Independents. Among the major parties, two each from BJP and CPI(M) filed their papers while one filed from the Congress. There will be no filing of nominations on Wednesday because of Basava Jayanti.
