Ratlam: Delay in announcement of BJP candidate for Ratlam-Jhabua parliamentary seat has given an inkling to JAYS (Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti) that BJP is struggling to decide its candidate. The party is said to have proposed to BJP that JAYS wants to field its patron Dr Abhay Ohari as BJP candidate but BJP top leadership has not given any response. When contacted, Dr Abhay Ohari, a doctor, said JAYS has approached BJP for ticket from Ratlam- Parliamentary seat. He said he has left government services and wants to contest on BJP ticket.
Click here for latest updates on Lok Sabha Elections 2019
However, BJP sources said party is unlikely to consider his name unless he joins the party. The RSS has also opposed JAYS’s proposal as it would send wrong signal to voters and party workers. According to sources, JAYS approached BJP with the assurance that it will support BJP in tribal belt.
Meanwhile, district BJP unit president Rajendra Singh Lunera on Saturday said party will declare its candidate from Ratlam-Jhabua seat soon. He said panel of two names has been finalised. The name of BJP Jhabua MLA GL Damor is also in the final list of the party but party may change its stand. Political observers said never in past BJP took so much time in deciding its candidate for Ratlam-Jhabua (ST ) parliament seat.
There were many aspirants for BJP ticket initially but when party made its stand clear internally that no defeated BJP candidate will be given ticket, it blocked names of atleast four strong ticket aspirants. Filing of nomination will commence for Ratlam-Jhabua parliamentary seat from April 21 and polling will take place on May 19.
The Congress has announced name of its sitting MP Kantilal Bhuria as its candidate from Ratlam-Jhabua seat again and Bhuria commenced his campaign. Bhuria remained active and met tribal voters as part of his poll campaign during Bhagoria fairs held on Holi. Despite this, Congress is waiting for BJP’s candidate so as to chalk out poll campaign strategy. This is because of the fact that BJP has improved its position in Ratlam-Jhabua parliamentary seat. As a result, fight between BJP and Congress is going to be keen.
