Women party workers protest at Delhi BJP office

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) High drama was witnessed at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Delhi unit office Wednesday as women party workers angrily protested the selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls.

Office-bearers of the BJP women's wing held noisy protest against state party chief Harsh Vardhan and leader Arun Jaitley for allegedly ignoring women in the selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly election.

'The ticket of our women's wing head Vishakha Sailani was finalised from Ambedkar Nagar but at the last moment it was given to another candidate, Suresh Pehalwan, who has lost election twice from that area,' said Jyoti Tokas, one of the office-bearers of the BJP's women's wing in Delhi.

'We were initially promised 33 percent seats in the election. Later, we were assured of getting at least seven tickets. But they have forgotten everything and ignored the hard work of all the female supporters, working for the party for years,' Tokas added.

The BJP has released a list of 53 candidates for the Delhi assembly election. Out of 53 candidates so far, only two women candidates have been given ticket. Since the list was announced, the party office has seen a series of protests from supporters of those who were denied tickets.

'Vishakhaji should be given a ticket either from Ambedkar Nagar or Matiala, where they are planning to field a women candidate who is just four months old in the party. We should be at least given five more seats,' Tokas said.

Another office-bearer, Jayanti Thakur, who was trying for a ticket from Vikaspuri area, said: 'I am working for the party for 31 years and I should have been given a ticket. But they are finalizing name of Vani Tripathi from that area. If they (party) do so, they will have to face serious consequences.'

The protestors barged into Harsh Vardhan's office and demanded an explanation.

'The decision was taken by the election committee of the party with agreement from all. What can I do?' Harsh Vardhan said.

When Harsh Vardhan tried to leave, protesters blocked his way and the state BJP chief could leave only after the police intervened.

Supporters of another BJP hopeful, Ajay Singh, also protested against the ticket being given to Bhim Singh from Deoli constituency. Ajay Singh's supporters termed Bhim Singh as an 'outsider'.