Running against time for the lok Sabha polls scheduled in Delhi for April 10, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accelerated the process of candidate selection for the seven seats. Hectic deliberations have begun in the party to shortlist the tentative candidates by this weekend. Former BJP president and Delhi’s election in-charge Nitin Gadkari said the candidates for seven seats in Delhi could be finalised on March 13.
Gadkari, who had supervised over the Assembly polls in Delhi, said discussion on various names was on within the party and a decision would be taken by the Central Election Committee. However, a difference of opinion was palpable within the party over candidature of sitting MlAs in the lok Sabha polls. A majority of Delhi BJP leaders were in favour of MlA’s candidature while Gadkari opposed the idea.
Sources said the party was hopeful of forming the Government in Delhi after lok Sabha polls and hence, it is against fielding its sitting MlAs for the general elections.
Delhi BJP president Dr Harsh Vardhan said the district unit presidents have been asked for their suggestions and the State unit election committee will be meeting in a couple of days to shortlist the probables for the polls. The list will be then discussed and finalised in the Central Election Committee. However, a number of ticket hopefuls expressed fear that they would have a little time in their hands to campaign for the polls.
“The situation will be similar to the one during the Assembly polls when candidates ran short of time to campaign. Even if the candidates are declared by March 13, they will have just over three weeks to visit ten Assembly seats in their Parliamentary Constituencies,” said a BJP leader who is seeking ticket for the lok Sabha polls.