BJP-JD(U) talks fail over tickets, JD(U) to field 55 candidates

The expected BJP-JD(U) alliance has failed to materialise. The two parties could not come to an agreement over ticket distribution. The JD(U) has now fielded 55 candidates and has decided to bring in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA convener Sharad Yadav for campaigning.

The expected BJP-JD(U) alliance has failed to materialise. The two parties could not come to an agreement over ticket distribution. The JD(U) has now fielded 55 candidates and has decided to bring in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA convener Sharad Yadav for campaigning.

HT Image

Sources said that the BJP was willing to hand over only 15 seats to JD(U), while the latter wanted about 25.

JD(U)'s chief spokesperson for Delhi Prabhat Ranjan on Tuesday said the party would request senior leaders including ministers and MPs from Bihar to campaign for its candidates.

"We have written to them and are waiting for their replies. As soon as their response comes, we will prepare the itinerary," Ranjan said. Considering the sizeable presence of Biharis in several pockets of Delhi, the party has fielded its candidates from Narela, Timarpur, Dhirpur, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Pratap Vihar, Patel Nagar, Nithari, Sarai Pipla Thana, Mahipalpur apart from other areas.

The JD(U) had earlier announced that it will field candidates from all 272 wards.

Meanwhile, 127 candidates of the Samajwadi Party have also filed their nomination papers for the civic body elections. SP's president of Delhi Usha Yadav also said that senior party leaders may also campaign in the city.

With the two parties gearing up to battle it out, BJP and Congress leadership are worried that their presence might impact the poll outcome. "The candidates of these parties will steal votes from both the national parties which may turn our fortune on its head," said a senior BJP leader.