As the Municipal Corporation election nears,political parties are resorting to distinct ways to finalise candidates to be fielded from the different wards. While BJP is relying on a survey that it is conducting,the Congress has decided to invite applications from interested candidates. The survey being conducted by the BJP has entered the last of the four rounds. The survey had been ordered by the party high command after a similar exercise reportedly led to a favourable result in the Bihar polls. The initial rounds were for ascertaining the general atmosphere prior to the polls as well as finding popular candidates of all parties in the wards. After the final round the names of the candidate from each ward will be suggested. The local BJP unit will then constitute a committee which will look into the report and then finalise the candidate. With the existence of various factions within the party,it is expected that workers from all these factions would be given representation. A senior leader of the party said the survey has entered its final stage. The formal announcement of the candidates is likely just a little before the last date for nominations. Senior party leaders would be holding meetings for the same. A committee would be constituted. For the first time for the MC elections,a special coordinator has been appointed by the party, he said. After the reservation of wards,only two of the BJP councillors have managed to retain their ward. The others have had to bear the brunt of reservation. The Congress on the other hand has decided to invite applications from prospective candidates after the election dates are notified. They will be scrutinised by senior party leaders. With a number of party leaders staking claim for each ward,the candidates will be selected from among them. The candidates have the stamp of approval of Union Minister and local MP Pawan Bansal even though an observer from the Centre has been invited.
