By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 21 Dec: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stated that the large number of people joining the party during the civic elections is a natural phenomenon. State General Secretary Aditya Kothari clarified that only individuals who are popular among the public and dedicated to the party will be prioritised for tickets to contest the municipal polls. Kothari informed the journalists that party observers are currently conducting opinion polls in all civic areas. They are collecting proposals from interested candidates and seeking input from regional party officials regarding potential candidates. He added that the party observers would soon present their findings and recommendations for the candidate selection to the state president. Following discussions with the state team and a ground-level survey, a panel of potential candidates would be finalised by the party.
Responding to queries about the impact of new members joining the party, Kothari clarified that anyone who aligns with the party’s ideology and principles is welcome to join the party. He cited the example of over 15,000 political workers from various parties joining the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections, emphasising that this trend continues in the civic elections.
However, Kothari also made it clear that joining the party does not guarantee a ticket. “The organisation will prioritise individuals who are popular among the public and loyal to the party. This ensures they can strengthen the party’s vision while contributing to the development of their constituencies and the state,” he added.
In response to questions from media persons in this regard, Kothari also welcomed the government’s announcement of the formation of the Char Dham Vikas Pradhikaran (Char Dham Yatra Authority) and claimed it to be a significant move to boost the state’s economy. Praising the announcement for the Yatra Authority, Kothari called it a milestone for ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
He noted that pilgrimage tourism plays a significant role in the state’s development, alongside regular tourism. Over the past years, better travel management and public cooperation have led to a record increase in the number of pilgrims. The newly introduced Winter Dham Yatra is also expected to boost pilgrimage numbers significantly in the coming years he asserted.
The establishment of a dedicated authority for pilgrimage management, Kothari added, is the most appropriate step to address the growing demand. He expressed optimism that this initiative would propel the state’s economy to unprecedented levels.
