Civic polls: BJP releases list of nominees, Cong's likely today

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released its list of 36 candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in Haryana, a day after announcing its nominee for the mayor's post.

- Leena Dhankhar

GURUGRAM: The announcement has triggered discontent within the party as several senior leaders and former councillors have been denied tickets despite their past contribution.

The municipal elections in the state are scheduled for March 2, with the counting of votes slated for March 12.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini met cabinet colleague and Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh at his home on Saturday to discuss the candidates chosen and the draft list for the Manesar Corporation polls. Singh said that they had finalised all the candidates for both Gurugram and Manesar civic bodies. The BJP's list for Gurugram includes several new faces along with prominent local leaders.

Several sitting councillors have been dropped from the BJP's list, which has led to dissatisfaction within party ranks. However, the announcement has also helped the nominees to begin their door-to-door campaigns with only two weeks left for the civic body polls.