BJP National Election Committee to finalise list of candidates soon: Reddy

Jammu, Aug 19: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy Monday stated that the National Election Committee of BJP would soon finalise the list of party candidates for J&K assembly elections and the first list would be out this week.

He was responding to media queries about the outcome of marathon exercise of J&K BJP Election Committee, which convened meetings that lasted late Sunday evening, besides deliberations of election committees of 17 organisational districts of UT unit that too continued beyond midnight.

Reddy said that a panel of probable candidates would be formed out of the names recommended by the J&K BJP Election Committee and the final list would be approved by the National Election Committee, headed by party president J P Nadda. “First list (of candidates for first phase) will be issued this week well ahead of the last date for filing nomination i.e., August 27,” he said.

As per schedule issued by the Election Commission of India, the first phase of elections will be held on September 18.

With regard to a question about the National Conference’s manifesto promising restoration of Article 370, the union minister quipped, “How does the question of restoration of Article 370 arise when neither Omar Abdullah nor Congress will return to power? He (Omar) will not become the Chief Minister after assembly elections so there’s no question of it (restoration of Article 370).”

Reddy reiterated that BJP would contest to ensure that the parties promoting dynastic politics, nepotism, corruption and terrorism could not return to power. “We will vigorously fight against such powers to safeguard interests of J&K citizens and ensure UT’s consistent march towards peace and development following abrogation of Article 370,” he said.

Reddy along with BJP national general secretary and in-charge J&K affairs Tarun Chugh and co-in-charge Ashish Sood returned to the union capital this evening after participating in UT election committee meetings which witnessed threadbare discussions on probable candidates, election strategies, major points of manifesto, grey areas in organisational structure and election campaign, learning lessons from parliamentary polls.

Emphasis on fresh faces besides bolstering the strength of the party to ensure that it could ensure formation of government on its own with strategic partnerships with few independents in Kashmir remained a high-point of deliberations.

Regarding election committee meetings, the party leaders said that the party was all geared up to fight on all seats in assembly elections and win a majority on its own. Chairman of J&K Election Manifesto Committee and former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh stated that the manifesto, encompassing people’s agenda, was almost ready and would be shared soon.

Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said that the party was ready with its manifestoes addressing concerns of all sections. “We have a national manifesto, UT manifesto, individual assembly segment manifesto etc., prepared following the glorious traditions of the party. BJP is a democratic, disciplined party so all decisions are taken by having all stakeholders on board,” he said.