BJP opts for strategic approach in Municipal Committee elections

Faced with an overwhelming number of ticket aspirants for civic body elections, the BJP has decided not to contest in over a dozen municipal committees across Haryana on the party symbol. This move follows recommendations from local party units and aims to prevent vote division, potential resentment among candidates and rebellion from those denied tickets.

Elections for eight municipal corporations, four municipal councils and 21 municipal committees are scheduled for March 2, with Panipat voting on March 9 due to a delay in finalising the voter list.

Confirming the decision, BJP Haryana affairs incharge Satish Punia said, “We will contest the elections on the party symbol for all municipal corporations and council posts across the state. However, the election for ward councillors in municipal committees will not be contested on the party symbol. The decision has been left to the local units and many are not in favour of contesting on the symbol. While the post of president in most committees will be contested on the party symbol, we will not field candidates for ward councillor positions.”

The affected committees include Ateli, Kanina, Siwani, Narnaud, and Loharu, among others.

Party sources revealed that the decision was driven by the large number of aspirants in small wards, leading to intra-party competition. Local units had conveyed to the core committee —at a recent meeting in Delhi — that most battles in these committees were between BJP workers, all vying for party tickets. “Rather than risk alienating one loyal worker over another, we decided against contesting on the party symbol,” a senior party leader explained.

However, some leaders favoured contesting exclusively on the party symbol. To address this, Punia clarified, “Where there is no contest between BJP workers, aspirants will be allowed to use the party symbol. Local units will make the final decision.”

BJP state chief Mohan Lal Badoli highlighted the unique nature of these elections, stating, “These wards are small, with around 5,000 voters, and elections here are often a family affair. That’s why we prefer not to get directly involved.”