Lastminute jockeying by bigwigs delays BJP list

NO CONSENSUS The party has been able to finalise candidates for only 51 out of 68 seats

DHUMAL IS SAID TO BE SEEKING A LION’S SHARE IN THE TICKETS; PARTY’S CENTRAL COMMITTEE MET IN DELHI ON SATURDAY

SHIMLA: Last minute wrangling and absence of consensus on the names of candidate’s has seemingly delayed the declaration of Bharatiya Janata Party’s list of nominees even as its central election committee held a marathon meeting in New Delhi on Saturday night.

The party’s central election committee headed by national president Amit Shah deliberated names of BJP candidates, however, consensus eluded the meeting.

Apart from Prime Minister Narender Modi, Union ministers Thawar Chand Gehlot, JP Nadda, Anant Kumar, general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal, party-in-charge for Himachal Mangal Pandey, former chief ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar, state president Satpal Satti, state organisational secretary Pavan Rana, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, head of party’s minority cell Shahnawaz Husain and Mahila Morcha president Vijaya Rahatkar attended the meeting.

Though the party deliberated on candidates for all 68 assembly segments, it could finalise candidates for only 51 seats as two-time chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal expressed dissatisfaction over the candidates shortlisted by the state election committee two days ago.

Dhumal is said to be seeking a lion’s share in the tickets.

It has been reliably learnt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah held separate consultations to pacify Dhumal, who is also the leader of opposition in the state.

The BJP that lost to infighting in 2012, is adhering strictly to the ‘win-ability’ criteria this time.

The party panel has not even declared its CM candidate so far. However, BJP stalwart Prem Kumar Dhumal will contest elections from Sujanpur seat.

Dhumal had contested from Hamirpur last time after his home segment Bamsan was delimited.

Decision on wooing over Congress leaders was also put on hold after former Union minister and rural development minister Anil Sharma shifted over to the BJP.

Anil Sharma was apparently chosen as the party nominee from Mandi, a move that has led to a virtual revolt in the party.

The block unit of Mandi has vehemently opposed the decision and threatened a mass resignation in case the party doesn’t rethink on its move.

Anil Sharma along with his father, former Union minister Sukhram and his son Ashray Sharma joined BJP on Saturday night, triggering panic in the Congress circles.

The party’s central leaders also expressed their displeasure over low preference for women.

The BJP had finalised names of the former welfare minister Sarveen Chaudhary and chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s close relative Jyoti Sen, Pratibha Singh’s sister- in-law.