Although the list of party nominees for the Jammu region was released on Thursday, the BJP has decided not to make public the names of its candidates from the Kashmir valley before filing of the nomination papers. The step has been taken in view of security threats to party leaders and candidates.
Instead of officially releasing the lists, the party has decided to silently handover the mandate to its candidates from the Valley, so as to maintain secrecy.
Sources said the names of BJP candidates would be made public only on the day of filing nomination papers.
They said two general secretaries of the BJP namely — Ashok Koul and Sunil Sharma — reached Srinagar on Thursday afternoon to handover the mandate to the candidates finalised for the polls. “Before handing over the mandate, candidates have been given strict directions against making public announcement,” the sources said, maintaining, “After the filing of nomination papers, adequate security will be provided to all candidates.”
“The party has taken the decision to ensure that BJP candidates are not threatened against contesting the elections,” a source said.
The BJP high command has deputed Avinsah Rai Khanna, national vice-president and in charge, J&K, to supervise the urban local bodies elections.
Khanna, who reached Jammu on Friday, monitored the preparations for the elections. He addressed meetings of all state office-bearers, MLAs, MLCs, district leaders, mandal leaders and other senior leaders in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.
