07 August,2014 06:56 AM IST | | A Correspondent
More than double the candidates since 2009 have signed up for BJP tickets; the party says the continuing Modi wave has inspired them
PM Modi
In what the BJP sees as an affirmation of the continuing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a record 84 candidates interviewed with the party for tickets to the approaching state assembly polls.
The BJP claims that PM Modi's continuing popularity has assured the candidates of victory at the state assembly election. File pic
"We got an unbelievable response from candidates this year; this has never happened before. During the 2009 elections, not more than 30 candidates had arrived for the interview. This time, the Shivaji Nagar assembly segment alone had 15 candidates," said Shripad Dhekane, the party's western Maharashtra spokesperson.
According to Dhekane, it is all due to Modi's charisma, which is credited for the sweeping majority that the BJP won in the Lok Sabha elections this year. The large number of aspirants who had applied for BJP candidature all hoped to win a seat riding on his popularity, he said. "Candidates are sure about their victory if they get BJP's ticket," said Dhekane.
He added that around 75 per cent of the candidates who appeared for the interview were highly qualified. The continuing Modi wave has inspired more youths and women to apply as well, said Dhekane. "There are many young faces that are aspiring to contest with the party's ticket. Although there were only ten women who gave the interview, the number is higher than it was during the last election," he added.
State BJP president Devendra Fadanvis will present the names of ticket aspirants on August 9, while the first list of candidates is expected to be announced on August 15.
