The Delhi BJP, which is trailing behind the AAP and Congress in naming its candidates for the 70 Assembly constituencies in the Capital, will gather suggestions from its cadre on potential picks Tuesday, it is learnt. This comes as the party’s national leadership, which is still in the process of assessing candidates, is likely to take “some time” to declare the names, sources said.
As per sources, the ‘Rayshu-mari’ exercise, or consultation, was initially supposed to feature the seven Delhi MPs “prominently”, but will now be presided over by those chosen by the BJP’s national leadership after the whip issued by it to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in Parliament where the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill is scheduled to be tabled.
“The consultation will take place at each of the 70 Assembly constituencies in the city; a number of party members, from district incharges and office-bearers to others who are part of the organisational set up, will cast their ballots for up to three candidates of their choice,” a senior party leader said.
“After gathering all these suggestions, they will be conveyed to the national leadership, which will, based on its own assessment of candidates, choose the final names. At least one list of candidates may be issued by the end of December,” another leader said.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said more than 2,000 applications have been received from party workers, while around 500 had come from “esteemed individuals across different sections of society” seeking a party ticket.
Each of the central observers assigned to one of the 14 districts, which the party divides the city into, will hold discussions and gather suggestions for five assembly constituencies, he added.
“The overall preference for an individual — no matter whether they are the first, second or third choice — is the key element of the exercise. As long as the name of a potential candidate figures on the chits being deposited in the ballot boxes, whether it is the first or last choice of the voter is immaterial,” a source said.
“Significant bodies such as the State Election Committee and the Core Committee are expected to be constituted after the conclusion of the Parliament session after which lists of candidates will be announced,” the source added.
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