Ticket aspirants queue up at BJP headquarters

BHOPAL: State BJP headquarters was abuzz with activity on Wednesday, as ticket-seekers in large numbers gathered to stake their claim ahead of the assembly polls.
Aspirants, flanked by their supporters, reached the party office in full strength to make sure that their presence is noticed and voice in heard. The ticket distribution exercise is turning out to be a major challenge for the party ahead of polls as ticket claimants are making a beeline daily.
The first list of BJP candidates is expected in a week.“At least four sitting ministers and over 75 MLAs are likely to face the axe if party internal surveys are to be believed,” said sources.
Battling anti-incumbency and an energized Congress party, the BJP is trying to field fresh faces.
The contenders lined up outside the BJP office not only to seek a ticket, but, also to ensure that the claims of their “rival” groups are scuttled, sources said. Prominent leaders who turned up at the party headquarters include Sartaj Singh, Gaurishankar Shejwar, Sitasharan Sharma, Surya Prakash Meena, Surendra Patwa, Ram Krishna Kusmaria among others. There have been reports that these veterans may be sidelined to give chance to fresh faces.
Dissent within the party rank was also out in open when a local BJP corporator Manphool Shyam Singh Meena from ward 83 of Bhopal gave an application addressed to party state president stating that giving ticket to sitting MLA from Huzur’s Rameshwar Sharma would cost the party dearly.
Senior leader and former minister Sartaj Singh said his name should be considered on the basis of the ground-level survey of the party. Sitasharan Sharma said he had come for a meeting of Bhopal-Hoshangabad division while Ram Krishna Kusmaria too staked his claim.
Shejwar was seen lobbying for a ticket for his son from Sanchi. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Raghunandan Sharma advised veterans to make way for youths on their own.
Similarly, two days ago-Devendra Singh Sisodia, son of Urja Vikas Nigam chairman, Bijendra Singh Sisodia, had surged into city from his hometown Sujalpur with a cavalcade of 200 to 250 cars.
But all the leaders maintained that they would do what party will decide.