Over 75,000 BJP members take part in secret ballot nomination process in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: More than 75,000 BJP members participated in the first secret ballot nomination process for choosing candidates for Lok Sabha and assembly seats in Haryana where the ruling Congress party led by Bhupiner Singh Hooda is fighting anti-incumbency.

The process aimed at democratising the candidates' selection saw booth-level workers, district and senior members participate in the polls held over the last fortnight. The workers nominated 130 candidates.

“This is the first time that party workers at the booth level have participated in the voting. The use of secret voting using ballot papers and ballot boxes was conducted for the first time,” a senior BJP leader said.

But the party will use the nominations only to gauge the choice of the party workers. It has already appointed a private agency for an independent feedback. The final selection will be made later.

The sealed ballot boxes have been sent to the office of BJP in-charge for Haryana Jagdish Mukhi, who is also leader of opposition in the Delhi state legislative assembly.

BJP has alliance with Haryana Jan Hit Congress in Haryana and will contest on eight out of the 10 Lok Sabha seats as per the terms of the alliance.

To strengthen the party organisation, three-mandals for each of the 90-vidhan sabha seats in Haryana have been set up. “Each mandal covers 50-60 booths and 284 such mandals have been appointed across the state,” the BJP spokesperson said.