SP prepares list of prospective candidates for UP polls

After a two-month exercise, Samajwadi Party has prepared a list of prospective candidates for the 2012 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the first time it has undertaken such "extensive" screening before distributing tickets, party sources said today.

"All those who had applied for contesting elections were interviewed by the selection committee and rigorous reviews held on all the seats by the state parliamentary committee, a panel of names has been prepared and forwarded to party president Mulayam Singh Yadav," they said.

Over 3,500 candidates had applied for party ticket for the 403 seats after depositing a particular fee. They were also asked to take life membership of the party magazine "Samajwadi Bulletin", the sources said.

As the party had witnessed several desertions after losing power in 2007 elections, the leadership wanted to be sure of the candidate's loyalty and dedication towards its programmes, the sources said adding that feedback had also been taken from independent observers about their public image and credentials.

"At some seats there are over ten names of prospective candidates who have been found eligible for party ticket but a final decision or selection would be made by the party president Mulayam Singh Yadav," they said.

Sources said the exercise has been conducted well in advance so as to check any revolt or exodus from the party at election time besides properly exploring the potential of all its candidates.

This would give enough time, both to the party and the candidates, to prepare for the elections in which it hopes to oust the Bahujan Samaj Party from power, sources added.

The parameters on which the names have been shortlisted include their role in the various party programmes launched by the party against the state government during the past three years when the party had been out of power, besides caste equations and winnability.

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