It's RSS, not BJP, that will pick candidates!

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 2: Is the BJP Assam Pradesh a pale shadow of its counterparts elsewhere in the country?

Such a question arises as sources in the RSS have said that it is the RSS, not the BJP, that will choose all the 126 candidates to be fielded by the Saffron party in the Assembly elections in 2016.  

It is no secret that the RSS has a good grip over the BJP leaders everywhere in the country. However, what RSS sources in the State have said today is something unprecedented in the country. If the party leadership has no power to pick any of its own candidates for the Assembly elections, home come they work in tandem with candidates who will be handpicked and fielded by the by RSS for the electoral battle?

Sources in the RSS said: "The RSS has its organization in Assam for a long time, even when the situation was not conducive for them to stay here and carry on the mission. However, the BJP has emerged much later. How come we allow them (the BJP) to have the upper hand on making crucial decisions that have much to do in the formation of the next government in the State?"

The sources have further said that the only criterion to be taken by the RSS, while fielding candidates for the Assembly election, is a candidate's winning prospects. The Sangh, according to the sources, will conduct a survey soon to ascertain the winning prospects of the probable candidates who have sought party tickets. A six-member team has already arrived in the State to start the survey that will be completed within this month.