Delhi MCD polls: BJP ticket seekers ‘must believe’ in PM’s policies, says Tiwari

Ticket seekers have been asked to submit a one-page note with their brief introduction and vision for the city,Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said.

Indicating that the Delhi BJP is going to adopt a ‘different’ approach in selection of candidates for municipal elections scheduled in the national Capital in April, its president Manoj Tiwari said that the two prerequisites to get a party ticket are that they must love Delhi and believe in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also warned party leaders against indulging in ‘factionalism’ saying such acts will not be tolerated at all.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said the two prerequisites to get a party ticket are that they must love the city and believe in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

“Only those 272 individuals will get the tickets, who love the city. Councillors are the ones who work on the ground so they should have an understanding of their city. They should work hard towards making this city the best place to live in the country. And they must also believe in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Unless one does not have faith in the schemes and policies of Modiji, how will they convince the citizens to vote for the BJP,” he said.

Ticket seekers have been asked to submit a one-page note with their brief introduction and vision for the city, he said.

The upcoming municipal elections are crucial for the actor-turned-politician as he has been given the party’s charge when BJP is facing anti-incumbency wave. It has been in power in Municipal Corporations for 10 years. At present, the party jointly has 153 councillors in three civic bodies. In municipal bypolls in 13 wards held in May last year, the party could won three seats, however, the Congress and AAP managed five seats each.

As tickets to sitting councillors aren’t guaranteed, Tiwari said, all elected members of corporations have been asked to furnish their performance report and an internal party survey is already on to assess their performance.

He added he is also scrutinising the performance of sitting councillors and based on a comprehensive report — his observation and survey’s result — incumbent corporates will only be given tickets.

“When I go for reality check campaign, I don’t go to check the work undertaken by the Delhi government particularly. I also seek feedback from locals on their councillors’ work,” he said.

Tiwari has launched the campaign soon after taking charge of the Delhi BJP in November. As part of his campaign, he stayed in slums, unauthorised colonies and villages.

In a clear message to leaders causing ‘rift’ in the party, he said his style of functioning is ‘different’ and he has given freedom to all but that should not be taken for granted. “They must understand that I am the party president. No nuisance will be tolerated. Each individual will have to toe the party line,” he said.