In MP, expose corruption in BJP and get Cong ticket to fight polls

Corruption in the BJP ranks, or the lack of it, could make or mar several careers in the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, which goes to polls later this year.

Corruption in the BJP ranks, or the lack of it, could make or mar several careers in the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, which goes to polls later this year.

For, their chances of getting the Congress ticket hangs on their ability to ferret out details of corruption by BJP legislators, ministers and prominent leaders in the constituencies they seek to contest the election from.

Applicants are expected to collect ‘facts’, and along with other regular details of bio-data, jot them down in the two-page form. They will have to submit the forms to the district Congress committee offices by July 20 or to the PCC office in Bhopal by July 25.

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The oldest national party has already announced that corruption will be one of the main issues in Madhya Pradesh with the Chief Minister and 14 ministers facing corruption charges. Several complaints are pending against the BJP leaders with the office of Lokayukta.

How seriously the Congress party is taking the issue can be gauged from the fact that the form devotes equal blank space to “corruption details” and “unfulfilled promises related to development schemes in your constituency”.

The form asks the applicants to describe caste equation in the constituency and regional issues besides personal details.

The applicants have been asked to give details: if they have enrolled members during membership drive; made booth-wise list of workers; list of non-political persons who could be of help during elections; and their opinion on how effective Central Government schemes in their localities are.

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The potential candidates may or may not be able to come up with corruption details but what will stump them is the last question: “Which leaders do they think would be effective during rallies and the places where campaign rallies could be organised.” Given that the state apparatus is divided in several factions, the ticket hopefuls are definitely going to be very careful while answering the last question.

Senior BJP leader Anil Dave, who played a crucial role in the party’s campaign in 2003, dismissed the Congress’ idea of exposing corruption, on its own and with the help of applicants. Dave said if they seriously follow this, the BJP will come out with its own slogan, “find one honest Congressman and get a BJP ticket”.

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