Ambala Sadar civic poll: 50% of Vij’s nominees fail to get ticket, local unit ‘writes’ to BJP high command

The growing differences between the state BJP leadership and Cabinet Minister Anil Vij came to the fore once again after the names of a number of candidates, reportedly recommended by the minister for Municipal Council Ambala Sadar election, failed to find a place on the list of candidates released by the party.

As per the information available, of the 32 candidates chosen for the MC election, 15 were not recommended by the local unit.

Soon after the list was released last night, the minister’s supporters started reaching his house to express resentment. Party workers, local leaders and booth and mandal presidents continued to meet the minister on Saturday too.

Sources said the local unit has apprised the party high command that they are not satisfied with the candidates announced and have demanded that only those who were recommended by the local unit must be given party ticket. The local unit has also sent mails to the party high command, including at the national level, to mark their resentment.

Anil Vij’s supporters raised slogans in support of the minister and against those who were given party ticket. Even those who were given party ticket expressed resentment and said that they would follow the directions of Anil Vij. They said those who had worked against Anil Vij in the Assembly election have been given ticket.

A local BJP leader whose name was removed said, “A panel of 32 candidates was sent to the party high command after discussion with the local unit, minister Anil Vij and election committee, but we were surprised to see that nearly 15 names were changed. If the party high command had already decided to give ticket as per its wish, then it should not have sought the names from the committee. We have been told that the list has been put on hold and we are waiting for a response from the high command. A meeting will be held to take a call on further action.”

Sources said that the minister has apprised the party high command about the resentment among party workers and also assured the party workers and mandal presidents that he would stand with their decision.

However, when asked about the changes made in the list, the minister, who was recently replied to a show-cause notice, said “no comments”. He added that he was not aware if any mail was sent by the local unit to the high command.

Meanwhile, Vij accompanied party’s Ambala Municipal Corporation’s mayoral candidate Shailja Sachdeva while filing of her nomination papers.

Kalka MLA and former Ambala Mayor Shakti Rani Sharma, former Minister of State Aseem Goel, party district chief Mandeep Rana and BJP leader Sandeep Sachdeva were also present on this occasion.

Anil Vij said, “The party has fielded Shailja Sachdeva as candidate for the mayoral election and I am confident that she will win the election by a big margin.”