As Bharatiya Janata Party kick-started the process of hand-picking candidates for the upcoming assembly election, there seems to be a palpable clamour among party leaders to contest in Coimbatore, a relatively safe turf where the party has a good following.
At the end of two day, after the interview session in Coimbatore on Monday, party sources said that at least two senior leaders have expressed interest in contesting in Coimbatore, including state general secretary G K S Selvakumar.
"BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan and vice-president Vanathi Srinivasan are also likely to contest from one of the constituencies in Coimbatore,'' a highly placed source said. Vanathi Srinivasan, a native of Coimbatore told TOI that it was for the party to decide the constituency where she would contest. ``My name is under consideration as candidate for various other constituencies too,'' she said. On whether she has informed the party about the constituency she would like to contest from, she said the party is aware of her interest but she was not ready to elaborate. Tamilisai could not be reached for comment.
Sources who were involved in the interview process, told TOI on condition of anonymity, that two state functionaries were likely to be given tickets from one of the constituencies in Coimbatore district.
BJP district vice-president Mythili Vino, a councillor of the Coimbatore Corporation has applied for two constituencies- Coimbatore North and Kavundampalayam, party sources said.
G K S Selvakumar, who has sought a ticket for Coimbatore north segment, said the party received more than 3,000 applications across the state, of which close to 500 are from people below the age of 35years. "Around 1,200 people are between 35 and 45 years, and around 1,000 are above the age of 50. Of the total 3,000 applicants, close to 800 of them are women," said Selvakumar.
In Coimbatore, about 360 applications were received. The candidates were interviewed by a six- member panel led by BJP state general secretary Mohanrajulu at the party office in Ram Nagar. "Out of the 360 people who were interviewed, 37 were women. The selected candidates would be announced by month end,'' said R Nandhakumar, state BJP executive committee member. The applicants were asked about their record of social service, popularity as well as their spending ability.
Interviews have been held at 13 places in the state. Among others, senior leader L Ganesan conducted interviews in Nellai, while Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan and party general secretary in-charge of TN, Murlidhar Rao quizzed aspirants in Chennai.
At the end of two day, after the interview session in Coimbatore on Monday, party sources said that at least two senior leaders have expressed interest in contesting in Coimbatore, including state general secretary G K S Selvakumar.
"BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan and vice-president Vanathi Srinivasan are also likely to contest from one of the constituencies in Coimbatore,'' a highly placed source said. Vanathi Srinivasan, a native of Coimbatore told TOI that it was for the party to decide the constituency where she would contest. ``My name is under consideration as candidate for various other constituencies too,'' she said. On whether she has informed the party about the constituency she would like to contest from, she said the party is aware of her interest but she was not ready to elaborate. Tamilisai could not be reached for comment.
Sources who were involved in the interview process, told TOI on condition of anonymity, that two state functionaries were likely to be given tickets from one of the constituencies in Coimbatore district.
BJP district vice-president Mythili Vino, a councillor of the Coimbatore Corporation has applied for two constituencies- Coimbatore North and Kavundampalayam, party sources said.
G K S Selvakumar, who has sought a ticket for Coimbatore north segment, said the party received more than 3,000 applications across the state, of which close to 500 are from people below the age of 35years. "Around 1,200 people are between 35 and 45 years, and around 1,000 are above the age of 50. Of the total 3,000 applicants, close to 800 of them are women," said Selvakumar.
In Coimbatore, about 360 applications were received. The candidates were interviewed by a six- member panel led by BJP state general secretary Mohanrajulu at the party office in Ram Nagar. "Out of the 360 people who were interviewed, 37 were women. The selected candidates would be announced by month end,'' said R Nandhakumar, state BJP executive committee member. The applicants were asked about their record of social service, popularity as well as their spending ability.
Interviews have been held at 13 places in the state. Among others, senior leader L Ganesan conducted interviews in Nellai, while Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan and party general secretary in-charge of TN, Murlidhar Rao quizzed aspirants in Chennai.