As soon as the date of Bhopal Municipal Corporation elections is finalised, the round has started in the BJP-Congress regarding the contenders. This time it is going to be difficult for the parties to distribute tickets, because most of the councilors are asking for tickets again, whose chances have been spoiled by reservation in majority of the wards. That's why they are now seeking tickets from other wards.
Many are claiming tickets for mother, wife and daughter-in-law. These include big leaders like former BMC Chairman, Leader of the Opposition, many MIC members.
There are total 85 wards in Bhopal. Out of these, only 4 wards (33, 46, 56 and 62) are such, whose reservation has not changed this time. The picture of the remaining 81 wards has changed. Therefore, former councilors or veteran leaders are now making a strategy to contest elections from another ward.
However, this is not less than a big challenge, because in a short time gaining acquaintance with the ward residents is not easy and there is also internal discord within the party. This is the reason that the parties will also face the challenge of giving ticket to any one of the many contenders.
Due to the disturbed equation after the reservation, many leaders are asking for tickets for their wife, daughter-in-law or daughter along with themselves. Also there are multiple contenders in each ward.
Surjit Singh Chauhan of BJP, who was the corporation chairman in the previous council, was a councilor from ward 51, but this ward has become an unreserved ward for woman this time.
In such a situation, the party can field a woman from Chauhan's family in the election or can assign him to another ward.