UP Elections 2017: BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain explains why party didn't pick any Muslim candidates

BJP has not put up any Muslim candidate in Uttar Pradesh as none of them were found winnable, party leader Shahnawaz Hussain has said. Asked why no Muslim candidate has been given ticket in the state for the upcoming elections, he said this time the party did not have a Muslim leader who can be considered a winning candidate. The BJP national spokesperson said the central election committee of the party, of which he is a member, takes a decision on ticket distribution to candidates. "The party selects candidates from all religions, castes and classes. The committee looks at the ability of the candidate to win. Any candidate who is considered suitable for a particular seat will be given a ticket," he said.

Attacking the Samajwadi Party, Hussain said it allied with Congress to hide its five years of failure. He also said hooliganism was at its peak during SP government's rule and the Jawahar Bagh incident only proved it.

He dared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to participate in a debate with the Mathura BJP candidate.