BJP almost certain to give ticket to 10 rebel Cong MLAs
The Uttarakhand BJP is almost certain to give ticket to the 10 former Congress MLAs. National general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya yesterday took a parting shot at his party leaders and MLAs to stem the resentment brewing in the cadre.
Vijayvargiya at a meeting asked the party workers to bring around those members who may be feeling let down. “This had to happen. The message had generally been conveyed in advance that the new entrants would be given ticket from the constituencies they were elected in 2012. Now, only official announcement is awaited,” said a BJP probable from the Raipur Assembly seat.
Vijayvargiya also called upon the party workers to organise meetings to honour BJP members who may be feeling slighted. “We have been specifically asked to guard against the propaganda and ensure desertion does not take place in the party,” said an MLA.
Besides betting on the 10 Congress MLAs who deserted the Congress and joined the BJP, the party has almost decided to repeat the sitting BJP legislators. “There will leave no room for a change in the seats, as it was done during the 2012 elections. Even if the change is affected, it will be done on the basis of a mutual agreement among candidates,” said a party functionary.
To that end, the BJP will now have to do brainstorming to pick candidates for the remaining 34 to 36 odd seats. This will leave very little room for new candidates to make their mark. In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP had fielded several first-timers and young candidates.
The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly comprises 70 seats. In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP had won 31 seats while the Congress had secured 32 seats, one more than the BJP.
