BJP to stick to A plus' list

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The  BJP core committee meeting held in Kochi on Sunday decided to stick to its list of  22 A-plus candidates which was earlier rejected by the central BJP leadership.  

The  committee decided to hold its state committee meeting in the capital city on Wednesday which will be attended by national president Amit Shah.  “The central election committee meeting will be held in New Delhi on March 25.  Prior to that, the state BJP will decide the seat-sharing between the allies of NDA. But the core committee decided not to scrap the first list  as it would create confusion among the voters since most of the candidates had started  campaigning,”  said a former state BJP president.

The third round of talks between the BJP and Bharat Dharma Jana Sena will be held here on Monday. BDJS president Tushar Vellapally told DC that the party had demanded 40 seats and a decision may be taken in a day or two.  

The BJP leaders said they would try to compromise on some seats as the BDJS was  keen to get Kazhakoottam and Kovalam.  The state leadership is also expected to hold talks with NDA ally Lok Jansakti  here soon.

Mr Amit Shah is likely to visit Amal Krishna, 26, RSS taluk pracharak who has been hospitalised with serious injuries sustained in the CPM-BJP clashes at  Kattayikonam recently.  His condition is improving, said hospital sources.