Patna: A large number of the 847 candidates in the fray for various posts in the on-going local bodies' polls in Bihar have withdrawn from the contest over a boycott call of Maoists who have threatened to kill candidates defying their order.
The month-long, three-tier local bodies' poll starts on April 20 and ends on May 18.
The elections are being held for 262,000 local bodies' posts in which women have been granted 50 per cent reservations by the state government.
Police said all 682 candidates from Dumaria block in south Bihar's Gaya district and another 165 candidates from Deo block in neighbouring Aurangabad district have withdrawn from the contest out of the fear of the Maoist rebels.
"Yes, all the candidates from a block [of] our district have opted out of the contest more due to the fear of Maoists although we had made all arrangements for a peaceful polling," the local district superintendent of police Vinay Kumar said yesterday.
Dire consequences
Authorities said the rebels pasted posters and banners on walls, electric poles and trees, asking candidates and voters to stay away from the election process or be ready to face dire consequences.
Reports said a mad scramble to withdraw nominations began soon after Maoists held a meeting with candidates on Sunday at which they ordered the contestants to immediately withdraw and even beat up one of them who filed his nomination papers against their order.
The rebels have announced those defying their diktat will be ruthlessly dealt with. They have threatened to kill the candidates and also announced they would chop off the hands of voters if they participated in the democratic process which they have termed a "farce".
Officials estimate, 33 out of Bihar's 38 districts are rife with Maoist activities.
The month-long, three-tier local bodies' poll starts on April 20 and ends on May 18.
The elections are being held for 262,000 local bodies' posts in which women have been granted 50 per cent reservations by the state government.
Police said all 682 candidates from Dumaria block in south Bihar's Gaya district and another 165 candidates from Deo block in neighbouring Aurangabad district have withdrawn from the contest out of the fear of the Maoist rebels.
"Yes, all the candidates from a block [of] our district have opted out of the contest more due to the fear of Maoists although we had made all arrangements for a peaceful polling," the local district superintendent of police Vinay Kumar said yesterday.
Dire consequences
Authorities said the rebels pasted posters and banners on walls, electric poles and trees, asking candidates and voters to stay away from the election process or be ready to face dire consequences.
Reports said a mad scramble to withdraw nominations began soon after Maoists held a meeting with candidates on Sunday at which they ordered the contestants to immediately withdraw and even beat up one of them who filed his nomination papers against their order.
The rebels have announced those defying their diktat will be ruthlessly dealt with. They have threatened to kill the candidates and also announced they would chop off the hands of voters if they participated in the democratic process which they have termed a "farce".
Officials estimate, 33 out of Bihar's 38 districts are rife with Maoist activities.
