Jhargram, West Bengal, Apr 19: Jailed PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato today filed nomination for the Assembly elections from Jhargram constituency in Maoist-affected West Midnapore district.
Mahato was brought from the central correctional home, where he is lodged, to SDO C Murugan's office escorted by a strong police party for filing the nomination.
Several thousands of his supporters accompanied him to the SDO's office from the correctional home.
The police said Chhatradhar's wife Neoti Mahato was among the people, mostly members of the PCPA, who accompanied him.
Neoti told reporters that such 'spontaneous' gathering indicated people's support for the jailed leader.
Mahato first stated his desire to fight Assembly election in October 2009 and on April 6 next year he made a written application before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sheikh Mohammed Rezza through his counsel to file nomination.
Mahato was arrested on October 27, 2009 by joint forces from Birkar village in the Lalgarh police station area. PTI