Even after missing its own July deadline to come out with the first list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh polls, the BJP is still struggling to calm internal squabbling over ticket distributions. However, party insiders disclosed the first
list may be announced by the end of this month. While the Congress has already declared sizeable number of its candidates, the SP has also come out with two lists so far. Mayawati’s BSP has already declared names of its candidates for all the Assembly seats. Assembly polls for the 403-strong state Assembly are scheduled for next year.
Sources disclosed BJP central leadership has not yet received the list of potential candidates from its state unit, which is marred with factionalism. Earlier, the party had decided to announce the first list by September which was then postponed till Dussehra. But now, the party is hoping to announce it by the end of this month. In a major embarrassment to the BJP, ticket seekers of the two factions recently clashed with each other in Kanpur publicly.
At the recently-concluded national executive of the party, state leaders were asked by the BJP top brass to keep a check on dissidence. Party’s internal surveys have indicated a substantial increase in the number of seats in UP from the current 51. However, these surveys have also shown that internal dissidence is one of the biggest worries for the BJP in the state and can affect its performance in the Assembly polls.
Party sources said multiple authorities created by the central leadership in the state for the coming elections, is also coming in the way of finalising the list. Rejected by one camp, ticket seekers are building up their case before other camps.
As suggested by the central leadership, in the run up to polls two of its senior most state leaders, Kalraj Mishra and Rajnath Singh are embarking on “Janswabhiman” yatras from October 13.