Congress, BJP still keep ticket seekers guessing

Their lists likely to be out later this week

Sixty-three more nomination papers for MCD polls were filed on Thursday – the fourth day of the nomination process – even as Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress continued to hold back their lists of candidates. 

According to Election Commission, a total of 118 candidates have so far filed their nomination papers. But the two major political parties are still to declare their candidates for the elections to the three muncipal corporations on April 15.

Anxious moments

Ticket seekers in both Congress and BJP are going through anxious moments because of the ‘delay' by their parties.

A BJP ticket seeker complained that the delay will only give less time for campaigning and it would be wise to declare the list soon.

“The parties are delaying the declaration of candidates because they fear that workers who don't get the tickets will defect and may even contest as independents,” a ticket seeker said.

Nominations close on March 26, and he felt the parties would delay announcing the names till the last moment so that the disappointed workers don't get the time to file.

The aspirant added that he was ready with his own papers to file as an independent even at short notice.

List of candidates

BJP sources, however, said the party will announce its list of 130 candidates on Friday.

“It has nothing to do with the intention of stopping defections. Friday is an auspicious day and the party will announce the candidates' list tommorrow. The election committee meeting is taking place at  Venkaiah Naidu's residence late this evening and at least 130 candidates will be finalised by tonight,” a party source said.

In the Congress camp too, meetings between senior leaders, including Delhi President J P Agarwal, Delhi ministers and member of Parliament from Delhi, continued throughout the day to finalise the names of candidates.

It was learnt that interviews of some candidates have taken place in last few days, and some names have already been finalised.

Congress is expected to announce its list on Saturday.