No surprises in BJP first list, second may be different

The first list of BJP candidates for the assembly polls was easy. As foreseen, it includes the names of 13 of the 14 sitting legislators. It also contained names of candidates for many constituencies that are considered Congress strongholds.

Delhi BJP chief Madan Lal Khurana admitted choosing candidates for the second list would be tougher as there are more than one serious contender in many of the remaining seats. Also, the party wants to evaluate the possible candidates of the Congress in these seats before deciding.

One of the party’s senior functionaries, Mewa Ram Arya is pitted against senior RSS functionary M.P. Chawla for the Patel Nagar ticket. Chawla had earlier asked for Rajender Nagar  in place of sitting legislator Puran Chand Yogi.

He was refused as the party decided to give tickets to all sitting legislators and was asked to consider Patel Nagar instead.

Party leaders also failed to reach a consensus on Saket where Delhi BJP vice-president Vijay Jolly, organising secretary Jagdish Mamgian and two other party workers are contenders.

In Malviya Nagar, there is no consensus over fielding former Transport Minister Rajendra Gupta. His name was not recommended by the mandal.

Of the 21 seats of outer Delhi, candidates have been announced for only 11. In east Delhi, candidates for only half of the 20 seats have been announced. There are a number of contenders from Vishwas Nagar, Mandawali and Shahdara. Candidates for the six seats from Sadar and Chandni Chowk too are yet to be decided. Candidates for two seats are to be decided in Karol Bagh.