BJP in damage control mode,talks on with Joshi

Supporters had gathered outside Joshi’s residence in Sector 15 yesterday asking him to contest as an Independent as he had been denied a ticket by the party high command.

Joshi has reportedly been requested to take a decision about contesting from the city within a week. Following Sunday’s incident,senior leaders of the party are believed to have held talks with Joshi over the issue today.

President of the party city unit Kamla Sharma admits that the incident does send out wrong signals among the workers as well as the voters.

“The selection of a candidate is a democratic process. Six names had been sent to the election committee of the party. Of these,the name of Satya Pal Jain was finalised. Joshi,being a senior leader,should respect the decision and support the party. We will be talking to him to sort out things,” she said.

Interestingly,this is not the first time that there has been a split in the party over the announcement of candidature.

During the 2004 elections,a resident of Sector 25 had set himself on fire reportedly in support of Joshi,opposing the candidature of Satya Pal Jain.

Jain,meanwhile,said senior leaders of the party are in touch with Joshi.

“Anti-BJP forces are trying to create an issue out of this as the BJP has an edge over others in the city. Joshi is a seasoned leader and will definitely stand in support of the party.

Things will be settled amicably,” he said.