BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
In the by-elections to be held on 10 assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh, BJP’s fight with the opposition will happen later, before that the war has started within the party regarding tickets. Although there is a tug of war for claiming all the seats, but the real war among BJP leaders is for the tickets of Katehari and Milkipur seats. Many ministers and senior officials of the organization are also trying their best to get tickets for their disciples and favourites on these two seats. Due to this, the top leadership is facing difficulty in deciding the tickets.
The reason behind the fight for tickets on Milkipur and Katehari seats is that CM Yogi Adityanath himself has taken charge of election management on both these seats, so the contenders are assuming their victory to be certain. The way the CM has focused on both the seats has changed the atmosphere here a lot. This has increased the hopes of the contenders of BJP and allied parties.
If sources are to be believed, a former MP wants to field one of his close aides in Milkipur, while a minister who has been made in-charge of Katehari seat has also put in all his efforts to get a ticket for his favourite. Many officials of the organization are also in the queue for the ticket. Apart from the claim of Nishad Party in Katehari, half a dozen leaders from BJP are also in the race for the ticket. Many such leaders are in the race to get tickets on both the seats, who had joined BJP during the Lok Sabha elections.
Opening polls for tickets
The extent of the fight for the ticket can be gauged from the fact that the contenders are exposing each other. According to sources, the local BJP unit has split into two over the ticket for the Katehari seat. Both camps have sent a box of complaints against each other to the BJP leadership. The state organization had recently called the complainants to the state headquarters and counselled them. The officials of the organization who had gone to Ambedkar’s place had also advised them to remain calm. Despite this, the rift between them continues.
Big leaders’ emphasis on outsiders
If sources are to be believed, two big BJP leaders have also arranged their fielding to get tickets for some outsiders on Katehari, Ghaziabad, Phulpur and Majhawan seats. They have even run to Delhi. Former MP Maluk Nagar and former MLA Rajpal Saini are also demanding tickets for their respective sons on Meerapur seat. Current MP Chandan Chauhan has also tried hard for his wife.
Allies have also put up obstacles
The allies are also creating hurdles for BJP regarding seat sharing. Hence the issue is not getting resolved. Cabinet minister in the government and president of Nishad Party Sanjay Nishad is demanding Katehari and Majhawan seats, while RLD is also staking claim on Meerapur as well as Khair seat. BJP is confused about this too.
