Dissidence continues in BJP over poll nominations

New Delhi: A number of BJP workers from Sultan Puri, Gandhi Nagar and Mehrauli held a protest on Monday outside Delhi BJP office here accusing the party leadership of "not adhering to clear guidelines" in selection of candidates of assembly polls in Delhi.

"The selection process was totally flawed. No criteria was followed in selection of candidates," alleged a ticket-seeker. Angry over not getting nomination for coming assembly elections in Delhi, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Azad Singh on Saturday resigned from his post. According to Singh, he has tendered his resignation as Mayor claiming he was the `deserving` candidate for Mundka seat where BJP has re-nominated its sitting candidate Manoj Shokeen who had won in 2008 by over 14,000 votes. In a letter addressed to BJP President Rajnath Singh, Azad Singh alleged money had been taken in distribution of seats and deserving candidates were sidelined. The other dissident candidate who tendered his resignation from the party was Harsharan Singh Balli from Hari Nagar constituency. His seat was given to a candidate belonging to BJP ally Akali Dal. Bali was the only sitting MLA who was refused ticket. Balli had said he would not withdraw the resignation as he is "deeply hurt" by the party`s decision. Rejecting the resignations, state party President Vijay Goel said he will talk to Singh and Balli. Delhi BJP had witnessed an open rebellion by a section of party workers over its decision to field Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, from Mehrauli assembly constituency, on Friday.