Dehradun: As the election commission has announced the date for Kedarnath assembly by-polls on 20 November, the state BJP has shortlisted the six promising candidates to face the poll battle to register a win again.
On Wednesday, the BJP state organization prepared a panel of six candidates for the Kedarnath by-election. According to the BJP sources, state parliamentary board sent six names to central parliamentary board which includes former MLA Asha Nautiyal, Shaila Rawat’s daughter Aishwarya Rawat, former Colonel and Everest conqueror Ajay Kothiyal, Kuldeep Rawat, Ajendra Ajay, and Chandi Prasad Bhatt to the high command for consideration for final selection.
A virtual meeting of the State Parliamentary Board took place on Wednesday
BJP President Mahendra Bhatt announced that the State Parliamentary Board meeting was held virtually, and the BJP candidate will be declared soon. State Media In charge Manveer Singh Chauhan informed that a virtual meeting of the State Parliamentary Board took place today, attended by State In charge and National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and State President Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt. During this meeting, the panel of candidates for the Kedarnath Assembly in Rudraprayag was discussed in detail, considering regional, social, and organizational aspects.
A list of six candidates has been finalised
Subsequently, all members of the Parliamentary Board unanimously decided to forward the names to the Central Parliamentary Board. The Board authorized State President Mr. Bhatt to present this panel of potential candidates to the central leadership. According to BJP sources, the state parliamentary board sent six names to the central parliamentary board for final selection: former MLA Asha Nautiyal, Shaila Rawat’s daughter Aishwarya Rawat, former Colonel and Everest conqueror Ajay Kothiyal, Kuldeep Rawat, Ajendra Ajay, and Chandi Prasad Bhatt
Central leadership will consider the names of the panel and announce the name of the party’s candidate
During this process, State President Mr. Bhatt stated that the party organization is fully prepared to contest the elections at the booth and panna levels and achieve a record victory. He expressed hope that the central leadership would soon consider the panel and announce the party’s official candidate, after which they would finalize the next phase of their election strategy. Former CM, former state president, MPs of the state, and party officials participated virtually in the meeting as members of the Parliamentary Board.
Internal bickering in congress for candidate selection
Meanwhile, internal discord among Congress leaders is evident regarding candidate selection. The party is divided into factions led by State President Karan Mahara, Harak Singh Rawat, Harish Rawat, and Ganesh Godiyal, creating confusion about the election. Congress chief spokesperson Garima Dasauni said, “Our party has announced a four-member panel of observers to shortlist three probable candidates to submit to the national leadership.” State Congress in-charge Kumari Shailja is also reportedly upset with the party high command following the Haryana elections.
