Anxious faces, tensed police, heated arguments, the sound of drums and slogan shouting was what one could get to see at the Ahmedabad Collector Office on Saturday.
The atmosphere at the collector office was vibrant as supporters of the candidates cheered their leaders. Saturday being the last day for filling of nominations for the civic polls, the aspirants were seen making last minute rush to complete the formalities.
Thousands of supporters of various political parties started pouring in at the collector office from morning. The police had cordoned off the entire place and allowed only four to five supporters per candidate. As a result heated arguments took place between police personnel and supporters. At one time, the police had to lathi charge the supporters who were trying to enter the collectorate premises by jumping fences.
Majority of the Congress candidates filed their nomination on Saturday as the party could not give them a mandate till the last minute. On the other hand most of the BJP candidates had already filed their nomination but and had come just to submit their party mandate. It was also a reunion of sort for the present corporators and party workers from different wards of the city.
The independent candidates, meanwhile, seemed confused as their supporters rushed from one place to another to gather papers to finish the formalities. Some candidates were sitting on the floor of the collector office checking the forms and filling up details.
Silence descended on the office after 3 pm as the crowd started disappearing from the scene. Police personals and officials were also relived as the whole process was peaceful.
