Jaipur: BJP has finalised most candidates for the first phase of Rajasthan’s panchayat elections and is likely to distribute election symbols through district in-charges instead of releasing a consolidated list, aiming to avoid dissent among ticket aspirants.The selection process continued for the second consecutive day at the party’s state headquarters Monday, with chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, state president Madan Rathore and state organisation general secretary Ajay Kumar participating.Candidate panels from 16 districts, including Ajmer, Jhalawar, Alwar, Jaipur and Bikaner, were discussed, with consensus emerging on several names.A party source said BJP would follow the approach adopted during the urban local body elections. District in-charges will collect symbols from the state headquarters and hand them to authorised candidates, who are also being informed of the decisions through them.Bikaner received particular attention, with the state leadership keen to secure the zila pramukh post. Local leaders have been asked to avoid repeating mistakes made during the urban local body elections and ensure the party wins the post.“The party has yet to secure the zila pramukh post in Bikaner since its formation. Congress’s influence in the district’s rural politics since Independence has added to the significance of the contest,” the source said.The elections will test BJP’s organisational strength in rural Bikaner and pose a challenge for Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, a key party leader from the region. Factional rivalries and securing a majority in the zila parishad remain key challenges.MLA Kailash Verma said ticket distribution was completed after consultations at various levels, with local panels sent to the state leadership for a final decision.
