Farmers Movement Archive

UP: BJP to name nominees for zila panchayat polls by April 1

LUCKNOW: After launching a campaign blitz for ensuing panchayat elections, BJP is set to announce names of party candidates for zila panchayat in next couple of days. Though election won’t be contested on party symbol, BJP has decided to field functionaries in 75 zila panchayats and 3,051 wards. Sources said, the party plans to announce names of candidates for the districts, which go to polls in first two phases by April 1. “We have begun the process of distribution of tickets after identifying candidates,” a senior UP BJP leader said. The nomination process for the first and second phase is scheduled on April 3 and April 7. Prominent districts which will go to polls in the first two phases include PM Narendra Modi’s parliamentary seat of Varanasi, CM Yogi’s home turf of Gorakhpur, SP stronghold of Azamgarh, besides a host of west UP districts which felt the ripples of farmers’ unrest against new farm laws. surces said, the candidate selection process would reflect the party’s inclusive approach vis-à-vis caste and community. “This will help the party prepare its ground for the assembly elections due next year,” a senior party functionary said. Sources said, the election of BJP functionaries in zila panchayat will help the party in taking various government schemes of the Centre and the state to rural areas and help consolidate its position at grassroots. Sources said, the process of deciding candidates would first be done at ward level, then at district level, followed by regional level before being sent to state headquarters for approval. BJP’s state executive meet held this month had mandated that party functionaries contesting panchayat elections would be required to resign from their posts.

The Times of India

2021-03-31

Lucknow