Quit BJP posts first for civic poll tickets: Tiwari

In a major blow to party office bearers and their family members seeking party tickets to contest the forthcoming municipal elections, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Monday said that their candidature will be considered only after they quit the post they are holding in the organisation.

Mr Tiwari told this newspaper that any Delhi BJP office bearer, who wants ticket for the upcoming polls of the three municipal corporations, must resign from the current post to be considered for a ticket. “This has been decided to avoid any favoritism or edge to existing office bearer among other party workers,” he said.

Sources in the party said that among a list of 35 new office bearers appointed after the appointment of Mr Tiwari as the new president — except general

Resigning or leaving the current post in the state or district team does not ensure ticket for them or their spouses or family members, clarified Mr Tiwari

secretary Sidharthan — everyone is in the race for ticket for themselves, their spouses, or family members.

The party decision came as a blow to the aspirations of these office bearers and the district team of Delhi BJP, who are considering an edge for themselves over others.

As per the party decision, an office bearer in the state team or district team must first of all resign from their current form and like ordinary BJP workers seek ticket to contest the municipal polls to be held in the second half of April.

“Resigning or leaving the current post in the state or district team does not ensure ticket for them or their spouses or family members. Like other ticket seekers, their candidature will be considered and decided,” Mr Tiwari added.

Mr Tiwari’s current state team comprises two general secretaries, Ravinder Gupta and Rajesh Bhatia, who are currently councillors in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Party state secretary Meenakshi is councillor in East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Mr Bhatia is the deputy chairman of the standing committee, which is the key decision making body of the NDMC, while Mr Gupta and Ms Meenakshi are former mayors.