Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, other leaders to meet for finalising more candidates for state polls

The BJP's central election committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to deliberate upon the candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The party aims at announcing candidates before the release of poll schedule.

Springing a surprise, the BJP had in the second week of August announced 21 candidates for the-90 member Chhattisgarh polls and 39 candidates for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh polls.

The central election committee members include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda.


After the CEC meeting, the BJP is likely to announce another set of candidates for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and may also announce the first list for Rajasthan and Telangana.

In Rajasthan and Telangana, the BJP is also contemplating fielding several sitting MPs in assembly polls, especially in the southern state where it is trying hard to make a mark.

The CEC will also review the ongoing poll preparations, gather feedback, and formulate the party's strategy, including the selection of candidates.

Meanwhile, late in the evening on Monday, BJP's Madhya Pradesh core group, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, held a meeting with the party's central leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, at the latter's residence.

Similar meetings for Chattisgarh and Rajasthan are planned in coming days before the CEC meeting.

EC to Conclude Visits to Poll-bound States by Early Oct

The Election Commission would conclude its visits to five poll-bound states by early October following which it is likely to announce schedule of assembly polls in these states, sources said on Monday.