‘BJP candidates for bypolls as per cadre feedback’

State BJP chief Ashok Parnami on Thursday said candidates for the by-elections for the assembly constituencies in Ajmer and Mandalgah will be decided after feedback from party workers and a survey by chief minister VasundharaRaje.

Parnami chaired a meeting to discuss strategy for the by-polls that was attended by party legislators, district presidents, organization in-charges, and minister in-charge of the nine assembly constituencies in Ajmer.

Briefing the media, Parnami said the party strategy for winning the by-polls was discussed inthemeeting andaddedthatthe meeting for the Alwar by-elections will be held later.

On distribution of tickets, he said the party will consult booth and district level workers before finalizing the name of the candidates.

“In the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections, tickets were decided on the basis of discussions with party workers and a survey done by chief minister Vasundhara Raje,” he said.

“The same process is being adopted here and after feedback from workers and the survey report, we will decide on a suitable candidate.”

Parliamentary affairs minister Rajendra Rathore said the BJP legislature party’s meet has been called on November 6 in the assembly.

“KJ Alphons is likely to file his nomination on November 6 and we expect that he will be elected unanimously.”

The BJP has nominated Alphons from Rajasthan after Venkaiah Naidu’s elevation as vice president of India.

On opposition allegations of disregarding assembly rules by home minister Gulab Chand Kataria while referring the controversial gagbill to aselect committee, Rathore said the speaker under Assembly Rules 307, has residual power to suspend the business of the house.

“Thespeakergavepermission to the home minister under the rule.”

Rathore brushed aside Congress president Sachin Pilot’s criticism of CM Vasundhara Raje meeting different castes leaders in the constituencies going to polls.

“This is an example of social interaction,” hesaid, addingthat the Congress should put its house in order first.

“The Congress is divided into groups and has no unanimous leader...”

On BJP legislator Ghanshyam Tiwari’s announcement to float a new party, Parnami said he is free to do so but then he would no longer remain a BJP MLA.

Rathore said the government amended the rules for MLA local area development funds to allow legislators to use the money for improving facilities at religious places after anumberofrequests from them.

Parnami said BJP will celebrate anniversary of demonetizationonNovember8.“Demonetisation was a historic decision. It was a step towards ridding the country of corruption and has benefitted the nation.”

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