BJP plays safe, avoids much alteration in ticket distribution

Bhopal, Nov 7 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh BJP has avoided much modification in ticket distribution with the objective of bringing the party back to power in assembly polls.

To ward off anti-incumbency factor on the lines of Gujarat's Modi formula, the ruling BJP denied ticket to 61 sitting legislators leaving only 103 sitting members in the fray in the 230-seat assembly. Seven MPs and 23 women were also in the hustings on BJP ticket.

Party sources claimed that tickets were denied to sitting legislators following delimitation that affected about 35 assembly seats. Besides, candidates had been changed on about 25 seats on the basis of surveys conducted at various levels.

Sources said candidates had been provided ticket keeping winnability as single factor in mind.

The BJP had announced names of 113 candidates in first list, 64 in second list and 38 in third list and 12 in fourth list. No decision about candidate for Bohriband seat could be taken till 1300 hours on the last day of filing nominations today.

However, discontent has been visible over selection of candidates. Sagar legislator Sudha Jain has filed nomination as independent candidate and announced that she would not withdraw her nomination.

UNI PKJ-PS 1558