Realising the mistake committed in selection of candidates in the previous civic body polls, the BJP has decided to avoid kith and kin of MPs, MlAs and public representatives and follow the recommendations of committees formed for selection of candidates.
This was resolved in a State level meeting of the party held at party’s office ‘Ekatm Parisar’ in the city on Tuesday to chalk out a strategy for civic polls. Addressing the meeting, BJP State President Dharamlal Kaushik exhorted the party workers to turn the atmosphere in party’s favour to ensure victory on maximum seats.
He said that strong leadership alone cannot make a party strong, the party should be strengthened at booth level and local units. “The BJP Government in the State has resolved the fundamental problems of most of the local bodies and people have shown faith in the party. However, the party will not compromise in selection of candidates and give chance only to deserving candidates,” said Kaushik, adding, that the party workers should work with dedication after selection of candidates.
Chief Minister Raman Singh acknowledged that it was due to mistakes the party lost few seats of Mayor and Chairman in the previous civic body elections. “If a candidate is forced on the people, the independent candidates get opportunity to win the election. Half the battle is won if the Selection Committee chooses the right candidate,” said Singh.
He asked the party workers to get out of the illusion that cancellation of bogus ration cards will have adverse consequences on election. Singh said that the opposition is trying to create political confusion but this will have least effect on party’s chances. He appealed the workers to go to the public with complete knowledge about government schemes and make people aware of these schemes.
BJP National Joint General Secretary (Organisation) Saudan Singh said that the office-bearers of the selection committees will play a crucial role and any mistake will have political consequences. “The party’s Central leadership has decided to keep away from dynastic politics in selection of candidates and hence the party will avoid giving tickets to kith and kin of MPs, MlAs and public representatives,” he said.
Explaining the candidate selection process, the BJP State General Secretary Shivratan Sharma said the party will constitute a four-tier Selection Committee. The ‘Mandal’ Selection Committee will select candidates for the post of member of Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Corporations and give recommendations to the District Committee for the candidates for the post of Nagar Panchayat Chairman.
The District Committee will decide candidates for the post of Chairman of Nagar Panchayat, Corporator of Municipality and give recommendations for candidates for the post of Chairman of municipality. The Divisional Selection Committee will decide candidates for the post of Corporator of Municipal Corporation, Chairman of municipality and give recommendations for the candidates for the post of Mayor to the State Election Committee. The State Election Committee will finalise candidates for the post of Mayor, said Sharma. BJP State General Secretary (Organisation) Rampratap Singh discussed about party’s upcoming programmes.