BJP public representatives here have come out in open seeking ticket for a local candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. With the names of Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and BJP state general secretary VD Sharma doing the rounds for ticket from the constituency, the local elected representatives on Wednesday met former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Babulal Gaur to express their resentment over the names of outsiders being considered for the ticket.
MP Alok Sanjar, mayor Alok Sharma, MLA Krishna Gaur and former minister Umashankar Gupta first met Chauhan at his residence. Thereafter they went to Gaur’s house to put their opinion. Batting for the sitting MP Sanjar, the local leaders openly voiced their views stating that his (Sanjar) name should be considered and if not only a local BJP leader should be given ticket from Bhopal seat.
Sanjar, claiming that his term has been successful, said there was no reason behind denying him ticket this time. He said he had won last elections by a margin of 3.70 lakh votes. He said even if he does not get ticket then any local leader only should be made candidate. Sanjar said outsiders do not have knowledge of geography and social set up of that constituency. Sanjar said his views match with that of the party workers.
Voicing the views of local leaders and party workers, Sharma said that they only want a local person as LS candidate and would not tolerate any outsider. Batting for Sanjar, former minister Gupta said that sitting MP should be given another chance to contest from the seat but if party choses to change candidate then Alok Sharma should be considered.
Sources said name of Tomar has been almost finalized from Morena seat. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is doing its best for ticket to VD Sharma from Bhopal seat. BJP state president Rakesh Singh and Tomar are also supporting VD Sharma. This has made local leaders come out against ticket to Sharma. Earlier, RSS leaders wanted VD Sharma to get ticket from Govindpura seat in assembly polls. When Gaur showed his rebellious attitude, Krishna not VD was given ticket.
We don’t know VD: Gaur
Babulal Gaur, replying to media query said “We don’t know about VD. We had said what we felt. And we are sending our message to the leaders at the Central level through media.
