Infighting delays release of lists
BBMP polls: 649 candidates file their papers
The two major political parties - the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition Congress party- are facing stiff revolt from their cadres aspiring for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) election tickets.
The two parties, which had announced earlier that their candidates’ list would be declared by March 12 morning, have pushed the dates to the evening of March 13. Due to the revolt in the parties, none of the candidates will now be able to file their nominations before March 15, sources told Deccan Herald.
Transport Minister R Ashoka who is leading the BJP in the BBMP elections could not bring out the list of candidates by March 12 morning. He had said a few days back that the list of the candidates would be out on March 11 ‘at the stroke of midnight.’ Till March 12 evening, he was surrounded by the ticket aspirants and their supporters and could not bring out the candidates’ list.
The Congress is in an even more troublesome situation, unable to finalise the list. “In all likelihood, the tickets may be out on March 13 evening,” said a former Mayor and a Congress leader. In fact, both the major parties are planning to open their cards on March 13 evening or March 14 morning and release the list of candidates and distribute the B-Form. This has been planned to keep the carrot of ticket dangling before the possible rebels till the last date.
But there is a doubt about the success of this tactic, as people who are hopeful of a ticket from their respective parties have begun canvassing and a door-to-door campaigning is on since the time left with them to convince their voters is too short.
“In the event of denial of ticket from the party, the candidates will be left with no other option but to stand in the election as independents. I have started canvassing for my candidate in my area,” said a BJP leader from Malleshwaram.
