Rajasthan polls: BJP’s Central Election Committee to approve first list of candidates by November 1

JAIPUR: The BJP’s Central Election Committee is likely to give its nod to the first list of candidates for Rajasthan polls when it meets on November 1. The CEC will have senior leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, state election incharge Prakash Javadekar, state incharge Avinash Rai Khanna and state BJP chief Madan Lal Saini among other senior central leaders.

“The emphasis is on winnability. We will give ticket to those who can win election for us,” said BJP state chief Madan Lal Saini.

Ticket aspirants, especially sitting MLAs are in a tizzy over reports of party mulling over denying half of them the chance to contest. There is uneasy calm in the BJP office which wears a deserted look as ticket aspirants are making their last ditch effort to impress Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and election incharge Prakash Javadekar.


“Party is thinking of dropping 80-100 sitting MLAs including half a dozen ministers to counter anti incumbency. Nervous MLAs are doing every bit to ensure a berth for themselves,” said a senior BJP leader.

“Madhya Pradesh is going to polls on November 28 before Rajasthan (December 7). The list for Madhya Pradesh will be released prior to Rajasthan, which is likely to face strong rebellion. Against 200 seats, party has received over 7,000 applications. There is a big threat of rebel candidates, who may play spoilsport for the party,” said a senior BJP leader.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has started campaign in her home constituency Jhalrapatan with extensive workers connect and feedback programme. Her daughter in law Niharika Singh and son Dushyant Singh, who is Lok Sabha member from Jhalawar-Baran, were also seen interacting with party workers.

“Niharika Singh belongs to the Gurjar royal family of Samthar near Jhansi. She has been campaigning for Dushyant and Raje in every elections, drawing large number of Gurjar votes for her party,” said Ramesh Singh, a political analyst.