HDMC polls: Aspirants begin lobbying for tickets

HUBBALLI: With the State Election Commission announcing polls for the 82 wards of Hubballi-Dharwad, aspirants in Congress, BJP, JD(S), AAP, and other parties have begun to lobby for tickets.
During the lockdown, many aspirants tried their best to woo voters in their respective wards by taking up pro-people programmes such as distributing food kits, medical kits and clothes.
A ticket aspirant from a national party said, “Since 2020 I have kept myself very busy and was serving people during crucial times. That was the only way to be in touch with the people of the ward and meet their expectations.”
“Now it’s time to get recognition from party leaders. People wish to see me as their corporator. As there is competition for the ticket in the ward, I am trying to convince party leaders by presenting the work done by me,” he added.
Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagara Zilla Congress president Altaf Hallu said that soon after the election dates were announced, hundreds of party workers and aspirants are coming to register their candidature. Aspirants are coming with the area panchs, mohalla jamats and other organisations including mahila mandals. In some wards, there are three to five aspirants and in some there are 10 to 12 aspirants, he said.
“We will take note of every aspirant, but the high-power committee of the party in the district will take the final call on issuing tickets based on popularity and other factors,” he added.
Hubballi-Dharwad Central BJP president Santosh Chavan said that more than eight to 10 aspirants are approaching him for tickets in the 25 wards of the Central constituency. “Our senior leaders, former chief minister Jagadish Shattar, Union minister Pralhad Joshi and others will finalise the tickets after discussing with the party office bearers,” he said.
This time, JD(S) too is trying to give a tough fight and announce candidates in all wards, Hence, many have started lobbying for tickets and the party is waiting for ticket aspirants from other parties to join it.
The Aam Admi Party is said to have received many applications from aspirants. While the candidates for some wards have been finalised, it is yet to be done for the other wards.
AIMIM Dharwad district unit president Najeer Honyal said that many people are approaching for the ticket as it was the first time the party is contesting local body elections.
“We will finalise the candidates based on their popularity and concern towards society,” he said.