BJP opts for social engineering formula for ticket distribution

Prayagraj: The local BJP leadership is planning to adopt social engineering formula (samajik samikaran formula) based on caste count, winnability and loyalty among other factors for ticket distribution ahead of the fast-approaching urban civic body polls.
To ensure its triumph in all 100 wards of the city, the party would be sending at least three names of aspirants for corporators post from each ward to Kashi Prant leadership on the basis of social engineering formula.
Party spokesman Rajesh Kesarwani told TOI: “BJP leadership has mooted a proposal to select candidates based on samajik samikaran formula and for that, party has been conducting a proper survey in all wards. Apart from social engineering formula, the winnability of candidate as well as loyalty would also be considered before allotting tickets.” Kesarwani said: “We would be sending at least three names of aspirants from every ward to Kashi Prant leadership who would finalise the candidates. The names of candidate for mayoral post would be announced by state party leadership.”
After the reservation criteria of mayoral and corporator posts announced by the urban development department, the BJP leadership is busy in shaping its poll arena and engaging panna, gali and mohallah pramukh to connect with voters.
Meanwhile, the Mahanagar party leadership, in a bid to strengthen its voter base, has made it a point that only those leaders should be given tickets who have worked for the party and people. For this, the party has asked its leadership and ticket contenders to produce a record of their work in the last five years.
A senior party functionary said: “The tickets will be given considering winnability and local factors. All aspects will be considered before declaration of candidature. Till now, there are 12 and 842 aspirants seeking party tickets to contest mayoral and corporator posts respectively.
More importantly, the BJP leadership is also looking into the aspect of dissident candidates (once denied ticket and then contesting polls as independents) with the apprehension their candidature could dent the party’s prospects in urban civic polls.
The party has assured its workers and members that ticket distribution work would be made on the basis of ground work and support base and also warned that those opposing the party’s candidate would be expelled.