BJP, Cong face rebellion after declaration of candidates in Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh

Both BJP and Congress, which have declared a number of candidates for the forthcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, have been facing large scale rebellion in their ranks with many of their leaders threatening to contest as independents after denial of nominations.

The voices of protest have not stopped in the Congress, which has declared all the candidates in Madhya Pradesh and the party is considering changing candidates on two seats.

BJP too faces problems in MP. Four MLAs, angry over being denied tickets in BJP, have started preparing to contest as independents.

The election picture in Rajasthan is not clear yet. Congress has to decide candidates for 124 seats and BJP for 76 seats. According to informed sources, Congress is facing more trouble in those seats where BJP is considered strong. Not many voices of protest were raised due to veteran and established leaders getting tickets in the first two lists, but the party fears that there may be a rebellion after the release of other lists. In such a situation, the party can move slowly and release small lists in a phased manner instead of a long list all at once.

In Chhattisgarh, BJP is in trouble on 4 seats. Sources say that tickets may be declared this week. Congress has announced all the candidates and cancelled the tickets of 22 MLAs. In such a situation, reports of protests and clashes are coming from many seats. Antagarh MLA Anup Nag has rebelled and filed his nomination.

At present, Congress has declared candidates only on those 76 seats where there is no dispute and are considered strong seats of the party. The real problem lies in about 100 seats where either the party factions do not have a unanimous candidate or where the BJP is strong. BJP has won two or more consecutive elections on about three dozen seats in Jhalawar, Kota, Pali, Udaipur, Bundi and Chittorgarh districts.

BJP: BJP is in damage control mode after protests by contenders angry over the ticket cuts in the first two lists. For this reason the party is taking some time for the third list. The party is in a mood to release the third list after convincing the dissidents on the opposition seats. BJP sources have expressed the possibility of releasing the third list before October 28.

BJP has declared candidates on 124 seats. The way local leaders publicly protested against the first two lists had never happened before. The party went into damage control mode. Angered by the ticket being cut, MLA Chandrabhan Akya has announced to strike as an independent candidate. Open internal opposition was seen on Monday also against the candidates declared for Udaipur, Bundi, Sanganer, Jaitaran and Chaksu seats. The party leadership will punish all dissidents in future.