Too many contenders for lok Sabha tickets coupled with change in leadership in Delhi are set to delay the selection of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary polls. After a meeting of Delhi BJP’s election committee last week, the sitting MlAs too have petitioned for the party ticket. Former Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel, who had headed the meeting, reportedly conveyed to party leaders that winnability will be the sole criterion for deciding the candidates. This was in contrast with the Central leadership’s view that sitting MlAs would not be considered for lok Sabha polls as the party was hopeful of a BJP Government in Delhi in the post-poll scenario.
In addition to this, Delhi BJP president Dr Harsh Vardhan is yet to decide on appointing a new team of office bearers. This will have a direct bearing on the candidate selection procedure in Delhi and insiders said with the current pace of developments, candidates could not be declared before the last week of March. Sources said, in a meeting of district presidents and other party leaders on Monday, Vardhan said he would assess their performance, visibility and popularity in their areas for the next couple of weeks and any decision on their nomination for lok Sabha polls will be taken thereafter. However, Goel had earlier said that the party would declare its candidates for the elections by February 28.
Party sources said that the Central leadership of the BJP was against fielding the sitting MlAs in Delhi for the parliamentary polls as it could see the possibility of forming Government in the State which is currently under President’s Rule. Besides, several argued that considering the legislators would hinder the prospects of other aspirants who were not entrusted with party ticket in the Assembly polls in December last year. However, Goel’s backing of the MlAs has raised hopes, particularly for the longstanding legislators who are claiming tickets in each of the seven parliamentary constituencies. Sources further said a change in the existing team of office bearers will also be done at a later stage.
Meanwhile, Harsh Vardhan also convened a meeting of BJP councillors in three Municipal Corporations recently and asked them to apprise him of the development work carried out in the last two years. Vardhan told corporators that their performance in the civic bodies will be assessed while considering their claims for lok Sabha tickets.