BJP begins selection process for candidates in poll-bound States, Union Territory

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Assembly elections in four poll-bound States and a Union Territory beginning from March end, the BJP has kick-started its process to identify and select potential candidates.

All the party units in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry have started directing their district level groups to prepare a list of potential candidates for the polls.

The party has asked observers in these States and the UT to find out and prepare a list of candidates from grassroots workers to office-bearers who have reach in the public, based on demography of the concerned constituency and its voter composition.

Popularity of candidates with higher chances of securing victory will be the focus of the party with its stress that the candidate should not be involved in any criminal activities.

The process began soon after the Election Commission on Saturday announced a detailed schedule for Assembly polls in the four States and Puducherry.

A BJP leader said that the district unit of the party in poll-bound states will recommend names of all potential candidates from each assembly constituency falling in its area.

"All the criteria for winnability will be discussed first at district level before forwarding names of the potential candidates to state leadership," the leader told IANS requesting anonymity.

The selection of candidates will go through a three-layered scrutiny — district, State and national —before the final announcement of their names from particular constituencies in the States and the UT going to poll in from March 27 to April 29.

The candidates will be first shortlisted at state district level and then the list will be observed by an internal committee of senior leaders. Later, the list will be forwarded to the high command of the BJP here. The BJP's central election committee, chaired by party chief J.P. Nadda, will then take a final call and announce the names of the candidates. (IANS)

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