Change in sitting candidates cannot be denied in MP: Naidu

Bhopal, May 13 (UNI) Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said the possibility of change of sitting candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections slated to take place by this year end could not be denied.

''A decision to change sitting candidate would be taken after taking into account support of party workers, performance and popularity,'' said Mr Naidu, who is state party election incharge, at the inaugural session of state BJP executive committee meet here.

Advising party office bearers, cabinet members, MPs and MLAs to spend more time in their respective areas and establish communication with people, he said incharge minister, MLA and party officer bearer in every district should sit together so that problems of people could be resolved.

He advised party leaders to visit places, listen to party workers and resolve their problems. Besides, people should be made aware of positive results of government schemes.

Pointing out that the Model Code of Conduct usually comes into force after the Vidhan Sabha elections are announced, Mr Naidu said the government had time of two-three months to make some achievements and bring relief to people.

He said the government and the party organisation must work together in this regard.

Meanwhile, about 25 dissident leaders from Shahdol met Mr Naidu and reiterated their demand for removing party district president Anupam Anurag Awasthi and party district general secretary Rajendra Singh Rajput alleging that the duo were providing protection to anti-social elements and involved in illegal trade. Besides, they were ignoring party leaders and workers.

A total of 125 dissident leaders, including former party district president Rajendra Srivastava and former district general secretary Suresh Chaturvedi, had submitted their resignation to state BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar over the issue yesterday.

Mr Srivastava told Mr Naidu that resignations would be withdrawn only if the two office bearers were removed.

Mr Naidu assured that a decision would be taken in this regard soon. He also held discussion with Mr Tomar and state BJP organisational general secretary Makhan Singh in this regard.

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