BJP denies tickets to all sitting councillors, resentment grows
In a bid to beat the anti-incumbency staring at the BJP in Delhi in the upcoming municipal elections, the party on Tuesday said that it will not give tickets to any sitting councillor. The party is at the helm for 10 years and often criticised for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the three corporations.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday afternoon, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said the party will field all new faces in the elections on April 22.
“Following a meeting with senior party leadership, it has been decided that no incumbent councillor will be given party ticket irrespective of their track record. The purpose behind the decision is to develop a new leadership. New faces and young leaders will be given an opportunity to serve the city,” said Tiwari.
The BJP leader said the party will also not field any family member of the sitting councillor. “One who has no contribution in strengthening the party or background and experience, will not be made BJP nominee for the municipal election... The BJP is against nepotism. This is also to bring transparency in the selection process and young contestants in consonance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new India campaign,” said Tiwari.
The party has 153 councillors in three MCDs with a ward strength of 272.
Several sitting councillors criticised the decision but chose to remain anonymous. They said instead of this criteria, the party should have chosen candidates with a good track record.
“Whether this is a political masterstroke or not, will be clear only when the poll results would be announced,” said a Delhi MP.
A party leader said following the successful show in assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Manipur, the party has taken this step to neutralise anti-incumbency in municipal corporation elections in the national capital.
“One of the councillors said ‘greed for power’ is behind this irrational decision. Around 12-14 leaders openly conveyed their disagreement. They were of the opinion that the senior national leadership should be apprised of their concern,” said a party insider.
A senior party leader said the matter was first discussed at ‘appropriate level including the core committee’ before taking a final decision.
“When the proposal was brought in the meeting only 10% agreed and 70% did not express any opinion. 20% openly disapproved the idea. After their request, their point of view was presented before the national leadership which made it clear that no pick and choose policy will be adopted,” he said.
Tiwari said after initial disagreement, all councillors and party leaders are supporting the idea and the decision will pave the way for their promotion.
“In assembly polls, we gave tickets to 10 councillors. Three corporators were nominated as office-bearers in the present team — two of them — Ravinder Gupta and Rajesh Bhatia — are general secretaries and one — Meenakshi — is secretary. The decision is good for them. In the last civic polls in Surat, a similar formula was applied. One of the councillors, Darshana Jardosh, who was denied ticket was later nominated for Lok Sabha polls. She is now MP from Surat,” the Delhi BJP chief said.
However, sources said that a few ‘disgruntled’ councillors and leaders may contest election as rebel candidates which will adversely damage the electoral prospect of party in the civic polls.
“Replacing all of us is not a sensible move, if there were complaints against some, they should have been denied ticket. I will have discussions with my supporters and decide further course of action,” said a sitting councillor.