Eyeing a LS ticket? Join BJP

For instance, the proposed candidature of Aslam Sher Khan, former Union Minister who left the Congress and joined the BJP a few weeks ago, has reportedly created problems within the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit. According to sources, Khan’s name does not figure in the list of candidates submitted by the state unit to the central leadership.

It was understood that Khan would be fielded from either Bhopal or Chandni Chowk (Delhi), both of which have a considerable Muslim population. The Chandni Chowk ticket has now been given to Vijay Goel, who was moved out from his Sadar seat to make way for Madan Lal Khurana. In Bhopal, too, the BJP’s sitting MP has not indicated that he does not want to contest this time. The party’s MP unit is believed to have told the central leadership that it would be difficult to accommodate Khan. "So what if he is not given a ticket? He can campaign for the party," a senior BJP leader remarked.

Reliable sources here said a compromise formula may be worked out — that is — Khan could be offered a Rajya Sabha seat if he is not given a party nomination.

Similarly, Som Pal (former Janata Dal MP) joined the BJP recently on the express assurance of top BJP leaders that he would be fielded from Baghpat against Ajit Singh of the Bharatiya Kisan Kamgar Party (BKKP). But Singh has subsequently sent feelers for an alliance with the BJP and the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit is learnt to be keen for a tie-up. Not only are Singh’s chances of winning from Baghpat far greater, but his Jat votebank would benefit the BJP in other seats, it is felt.

The central leadership has been standing by Som Pal. But the Ajit Singh chapter is not yet closed.