Ahead of MP poll BJP 'raishumari' comes under doubt

BHOPAL : Will the much-touted BJP’s ‘raishumari’ — an opinion of party workers for distribution of tickets — ensure selection of suitable candidates for assembly polls? Doubts are already being raised over the right selection of candidates as the feedback may not necessarily be genuine. However, ‘raishumari’ comes with a rider that it does not guarantee ticket to all those, who secure a positive feedback as other factors including winnability too would come into play.

“Raishumari is a process to make workers feel that ticket distribution in the party is based on their choice. Though in reality, the workers who are participating in selecting a panel of three names were the office-bearers, who were appointed by either the district head or the MLA. In such case, one cannot expect members to promote a new name or an outsider, if at all he or she qualifies for ticket on the basis of feedback,” said a senior BJP functionary.

“It was stated that raishumari will not only ease selection of candidates, but will also encourage a democratic ticket distribution. However, there is no assurance that para-dropping will be checked,” he said.

“The feedback highlight performance, mass contact and booth-level communication of the ticket claimant, which is mainly in the hands of the present MLA and district party head. A bad feedback could also spoil the process,” said a former MLA.

The party involved 31 office-bearers in the feedback process in all 51 districts between October 16 and 18. Those, who played important role in giving their opinion, were district heads, district office-bearers, MPs, MLAs, members of morchas and fronts, members of various cells in the district and division level workers.

Contributors were asked to suggest three names excluding themselves, and write their opinion about the aspirants. However, the office-bearers would not betray the local MLA, who is willing to contest the election again. In such case, the process comes under serious doubt in the eye of other claimants.

“Raishumari is internal democracy. No other party has this process anywhere. We take feedback and select suitable candidate. The party leadership approves the names and central leadership declare the final list,” said BJP state spokesperson Deepak Vijayavargiya.