The BJP has received more than 2,500 applications for councillor tickets for Jaipur’s 150 wards ahead of the upcoming civic elections. Around 1,000 of the applications are from women.
The number of BJP ticket aspirants has increased during preparations for the civic elections in Jaipur. More than 2,500 party workers and members of the public have so far applied for tickets for the city’s 150 wards. Around 1,000 of the submitted biodata are from women.
Women have also submitted a large number of applications in general, or open, wards. Jaipur has around 24 lakh voters who will elect councillors across 150 wards.
Jaipur city BJP president Amit Goyal said submitting an application alone would not determine a candidate’s ticket. The party will conduct surveys of the aspirants and assess their electoral position.
The selection process will consider the length of the candidate’s association with the party, organisational activity, public contact in the ward, public service and previous political and social record. The party will also assess the candidate’s chances of winning.
Leaders and workers who have joined the BJP after leaving the Congress will also remain eligible for consideration. If the party survey identifies a newly joined leader as a b candidate with winning prospects, the name may be considered. However, if an existing BJP worker in the same ward is found to be ber, that worker may receive priority.
The b claims of women candidates in general wards could affect the BJP’s ticket selection. According to the party, both women and men from any category are entitled to contest from a general ward. If a woman candidate is found to have a higher chance of winning, the party may consider her candidature.
For district office-bearers seeking tickets, holding an organisational position alone will not be sufficient. The candidature of office-bearers who have worked for the party for a long time will be considered based on the social equations and electoral position of their respective wards.
Amit Goyal, responding to discussions about his own candidature, said he had not applied for a ticket so far. His primary responsibility is to prepare the organisation for the elections as Jaipur city BJP president. However, he said he could contest if directed by the party.
The BJP’s councillor candidates will not be selected by a single leader. Suggestions from party office-bearers and leaders, along with survey reports, will form part of the selection process. The final names will be decided on the basis of organisational activity, influence in the ward, social equations and chances of winning.
According to Amit Goyal, August 31 is the last date for submitting applications. A list of candidates is expected around August 29, two to three days before the deadline, although the final date will be decided at the party level.
The Jaipur BJP will select candidates for 150 wards from more than 2,500 aspirants. Existing BJP workers, leaders who have joined from the Congress, new faces and a large number of women aspirants are among those seeking tickets.
