In a firm message to party leaders, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) declined to entertain requests from members of President Ram Nath Kovind’s family for ticket to contest in Urban local Bodies polls. The denial has led to resentment among the members of the country’s first family.
As per reports, Deepa Kovind and Vidyawati had sought BJP ticket to contest the post of Chairperson of Jhinjhak Nagar Panchayat in Kanpur (Rural). While Deepa is wife of Kovind’s nephew Pankaj, Vidyawati is the President’s sister-in-law.
The BJP leadership, however, ignored both and decided to field Sarojini Devi Kori.
Though Vidyawati did not reveal her future course of action, Deepa told reporters that she would contest the elections as an Independent.
Urban local Bodies poll in Kanpur (Rural) will be held in the third and last phase of polls where the nomination deadline is November 10.
Senior BJP leaders said selection of Sarojini Devi Kori was made on merit and keeping in mind her contribution to the party.
Declaration of candidates for UlB elections has drawn ire from party workers as many of them protested at the party headquarters charging that their claims were ignored. A few even said that party tickets were sold for a premium.
The allegations have been denied by the party brass. State general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that tickets were given to those candidates who could win elections.