Release BJP candidates’ list at the earliest, says Dhumal
HAMIRPUR:Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, on Saturday, demanded that the party high command should declare the names of candidates “as soon as possible”. This, he said, will help the candidates to start working on ground.
This comes a day after the BJP core group, comprising Union minister Thawar Chand Ghelot, who is the party’s in charge for Himachal Pradesh, and senior BJP leader from the state had a close-door meeting in Panchkula, Haryana, to asses the party’s poll preparedness.
Talking to reporters here, Dhumal said that the decision on ticket distribution will be taken by the party high command.
He also refuted the veracity of a list making rounds on the social media that claims to contain names of 31 “finalised” BJP candidates for the upcoming assembly elections.
It is being claimed that the list was “leaked” by some BJP leaders. Following media reports, the party had asked its IT cell to probe the matter and warned its leaders from resorting to such activities. “This is a false list and the party has not prepared any such list so far,” Dhumal claimed, adding that the final list of candidates will be approved by party president Amit Shah.
Speaking about the criteria for ticket distribution, Dhumal said, “Those who are loyal to the party and have winning potential will be given tickets. Youth and women will also be accommodated.” He also informed that party’s national spokesperson Sambit Patra will also address a press conference in Shimla on September 12 to “expose the real face” of the Congress.