BJP to tread cautiously on candidate selection

Will compare lists from dist panels with survey report before finalising names

The BJP is understood to have decided not to rush through the process of finalising the candidates, even as it principal rival, the Congress, has formally started screening ticket aspirants.

Sources in the BJP said the district-level core committees comprising among others incharge state office-bearers and district BJP presidents recently submitted lists of probable candidates to the party leadership. The party is currently sifting through these names.

Of the 224 constituencies, names for about 150 seats have almost been finalised. For the remaining seats, the party is still in the process of holding consultations. Some of these constituencies have more than two aspirants. The party central leaders are holding talks with the local leaders of these constituencies in order to prevent rebellion, the sources said.

Unlike the Congress, the BJP does not encourage the aspirants to submit applications. The selection will be done within the organisation by way of consultation.

"However, names suggested by the district-level core committees are not final. BJP national president Amit Shah has commissioned a survey in this regard. The party leadership will compare the survey report with the names suggested by the panels, before zeroing in on the candidates. Hence, the state leaders, especially state unit president B S Yeddyurappa, will not have much say in this process," the sources said.

The sources said the party has decided to adopt a wait-and-watch strategy till the Congress announces its candidates. "We are closely monitoring developments in all constituencies. The Congress and the JD(S) are grappling with their own problems locally in many constituencies. The BJP will field appropriate candidates depending on the local situation," BJP sources said.

Meanwhile, a team of 54 BJP leaders, including many union ministers, arrived in the state on Saturday to assess poll-preparedness of the party. Each of these leaders has been assigned three to four Assembly constituencies. They will examine whether the local leaders have completed the task assigned by party president Amit Shah to them on strengthening the organisation.

These leaders will tour the constituencies assigned to them on Saturday and Sunday. They have been asked to submit a report to Shah by March 18, the sources said.