As candidates who lost civic polls work overtime to gain entry into civic house, party leaders insist merit will be sole criteria for selection

Election nahin toh selection sahi

As candidates who lost civic polls work overtime to gain entry into civic house, party leaders insist merit will be sole criteria for selection

Not all BJP BBMP poll candidates had the good fortune to to bask in victory after the civic election results were announced on Monday.
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They may have lost the elections, but know they can still get a piece of power if they can get the state government to nominate them to the BBMP.
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Many such high-profile candidates from the saffron party are busy lobbying with the party top brass in the hope they will be nominated to the BBMP by the state government.

Ideally, meritorious citizens, who have rendered service in fields like social service, education and empowerment of women, are considered for nominations to the BBMP by the state government.

The state government has the right to nominate 20 members to the BBMP.

Backdoor entry

With 20 nominations to the council to be made, several candidates, who lost the civic polls are hoping they will land one of the seats.

"Candidates, who lost the civic polls are in the race to get nominated," said a BJP source on condition of anonymity.

Former leader in the council AH Basavraj and leader Mangala Shridhar and Ramesh Yadav, who lost the polls, are said to be among the those lobbying.
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"I hope my name features in the nominees list," said AH Basavraj. "I have been serving the downtrodden for the last few years. This is a criterion for nomination to the council. I hope the state government considers it."

Not fair

BS Puttaraju, the former deputy mayor, told this reporter that it was wrong for candidates who had lost elections to lobby for seats.

"The state government nominations are meant for renowned persons rendering exceptional service," explained Puttaraju.
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"They are always a value addition in the council as their expertise helps the council in law-making and governing.
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If aspirants who have lost polls find their way to the list, what's the point in having elections?" BJP leaders deny the nomination process would be influenced by candidates, who lost the civic polls. The state BJP unit plans to convene a meeting on April 8.

Solely on merit?

"The list of nominations will be finalised solely on basis of merit," said Girish Mattennavar, former president, BJP Yuva Morcha, and chairman, Kanteerava studios.

"The service candidates have rendered to society will be the primary criteria for gaining a nomination.
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The state government wants to helpu00a0 meritorious citizens into the council." Mangala Shridhar and Ramesh Yadav were not available for comment.

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