No decision about tickets to ministers taken yet: Raman

Raipur, Sep 27 (UNI) Amid speculations about denying tickets to sitting legislators with tainted image in view of anti-incumbency factor in the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Raman Singh today said no decision has been taken even about tickets of ministers.

''Let alone legislators, it's not yet decided whether minister and parliamentary secretaries would be provided ticket. The main objective for the party is returning to power and whatever is necessary in that regard would be done,'' Dr Singh told UNI here.

He said surveys had been carried out from time to time in this regard at party level. Besides, initial discussions had been carried out from at party forums.

On whether there were reports about some legislators and ministers with tainted image in surveys, the Chief Minister said the situation would be clear within a fortnight.

''Eleven party teams are visiting various districts where they would hold talks with party workers and office bearers about the possibility of victory of candidates. Later, they would send a report to the state BJP President,'' he said, adding that the report would be discussed in a meeting of party office-bearers and panels formed.

The Chhattisgarh BJP Election Committee would mull over panels formed during its meeting on October 10-12 and send to party's National Election Committee for approval, which was expected to come during the meeting between October 15-18.

About reports regarding providing party tickets to wife or close relatives of tainted ministers or parliamentary secretaries, he said alternative names would be considered.

Regarding efforts by some ministers to get tickets for their relatives along with them, Dr Singh pointed out that children of ministers were still studying in schools and colleges.

Making it clear the possibility of winning would be the main criteria for providing ticket, he said the party would not make compromises for returning to power.

On providing tickets to women, the Chief Minister said the BJP has most women legislators in the present state assembly of whom one is minister and one is parliamentary secretary. He said more tickets would be provided to women this time.

About party MP Baliram Kashyap making some comments about BJP legislators before media, Dr Singh said anybody should put their viewpoint before party forum only keeping in mind that party was above all.

He said failures of the UPA Government at Centre to control inflation and neglect of Chhattisgarh would be main issues for the BJP. Besides, comparision would be made with the whole Congress rule instead of the three-year-rule of the Ajit Jogi Government.

UNI AS-PS SLD NS1841