Two dissident Trinamul leaders filed their nominations as Independent candidates here on Monday, the last day of nomination for the January 22 Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections.

Nikhil Sahani, former councillor of ward 18 who is also the coordinator of Trinamul’s Darjeeling district (plains) committee, and Bikash Ranjan Sarkar, a state general secretary of Trinamul and resident of ward 24, filed their nominations.

Both Sahani and Sarkar said they were very much with Trinamul but were contesting as Independents to respect the wishes of the people.

Sarkar is pitted against Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh who is the BJP candidate. Trinamul fielded Sanjay Sharma in ward 18 and Pratul Chakraborty in ward 24.

Trinamul veteran Gautam Deb, who filed his nomination from ward 33, said he would request the duo to withdraw their nominations and abide by the party’s decision.