Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 30: While BJP is going to release the first list of candidates for the first and second phase of Assembly elections in the State on November 2, four to five sitting MLAs out of 10 are likely to be replaced by new faces.
According to Party sources, the BJP which is giving final shape to selection of candidates in the State will discuss the list in Party’s Parliamentary Board at Union Capital on November 1 so that the same is released next day as the last date for filling up of nomination papers for the first phase of polling in the State is November 5.
Sources said that axe may fall on some sitting MLAs also and they will not be repeated this time in view of their dismal performance during last six years. These MLAs will be replaced by the new faces in the Party, sources added.
Sources said among the 10 sitting MLAs, the Nagrota seat has already become vacant after the election of Jugal Kishore Sharma to Lok Sabha from Jammu Poonch Parliamentary Seat in May this year while four to five sitting MLAs are likely to be dropped on the basis of their dismal performance. Among them two MLAs may be from Kathua district while two to three others could be from Jammu district, sources added.
It may be recalled that BJP had won 11 seats from Jammu during 2008 elections and out of them the leader of Legislative Party Prof Chaman Lal Gupta was expelled form the Party for his anti Party activities and cross voting in 2010 Legislative Council elections.
The BJP State leadership held discussions with Party National general secretary Ram Madhav who was on a two days tour of the State today to make the last minute changes in the list before its submission to High Command, sources said, adding that thread bare discussions were held by Mr Madhav with senior leaders of State Party and its election incharge and Party Prabhari Avinash Rai Khanna during last two days here.
Mr Madhav held a detailed discussion with Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh in this regard also, sources said. He also discussed the poll strategy and Party manifesto as well as tour itinerary of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Party national president Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of BJP rules States and other senior Party leaders coming for campaigning in the State with State leadership, sources added.
Meanwhile, the rush of ticket aspirants is increasing day by day with hundreds of Partymen camping before BJP headquarters and Ashoka Hotel where Mr Madhav was staying to ascertain whether their names are in the list or not.
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