THE SNP yesterday launched its campaign for the top prize in May's elections, with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claiming Labour was in disarray and embroiled in civil war.

Unveiling the team the party hopes will unseat Labour in Glasgow for the first time in over three decades, Ms Sturgeon said she believed the candidates were the council's administration-in-waiting, while Labour no longer had any ambition for the city.

Accusing her main rivals of taking the city for granted, Ms Sturgeon claimed that only the threat of the SNP spurred Labour into ditching more than a dozen long-standing councillors, a move which has deepened party divisions in Glasgow.

While she refused to mention specific allegations which have dogged the administration since the departure of former leader Steven Purcell almost two years ago, the Govan MSP said a Nationalist administration in the city would "deliver on the need for greater openness at the City Chambers".

Ms Sturgeon, who is also Cities Minister, denied an SNP administration would be "Holyrood poodles" with her as de facto council leader, claiming the current Labour leadership spent too much time seeking fights with the Scottish Government.

The SNP has been on the front foot regarding the election after last May's landslide Scottish Parliament victory, with the First Minister firing warning shots over the funding of the city's prized asset, the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Despite suggestions it would prefer to remain in opposition in Glasgow, the SNP is desperate to take the city council, at once delivering a devastating blow to Labour in one of its remaining monoliths in the UK and controlling the engine room of the Scottish economy in the run-up to the independence referendum.

It also wants the showcase of the Commonwealth Games, which would be staged just weeks before the referendum.

Prior to 2007 the SNP had just four of the 79 seats in Glasgow, with Labour holding the vast majority of the rest.

However, 43 SNP candidates will be fielded this time, one more than is expected to stand for Labour, with more than 600 Nationalists contesting the poll Scotland-wide, up 50% on 2007.

The overwhelmingly male group in Glasgow includes a former host of a Pakistan current affairs show, several trade union organisers, the ex-head of Glasgow City Council's community council unit, an Irish-born former Royal Navy engineer, party staff, and a retired teacher who has stood for the party at Westminster and Europe.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It's extraordinary that councillors who have sat for many, many years suddenly become deadwood and are deselected once there's an SNP electoral threat.

"I've around five in my ward and it doesn't reflect well on how seriously they take Glasgow. Labour in Glasgow doesn't even know if it wants the credit for the council tax freeze or is dead against it. We'll be maintaining the freeze.

"The general tone and style of government in Glasgow lacks transparency and openness, as well as any ambition for Glasgow. The administration spends too much time looking for fights with the Scottish Government.

"Even in these tough times we've committed to the M74 extension and the new Southern General hospital, big capital projects which demonstrate commitment to this city.

"But nothing comes easily and we'll work every day. Last May at the SECC I saw things I never thought would happen, with Labour bastions falling to the SNP and I believe we can have that again."

Labour hit back, claiming it had spent the weekend on the streets campaigning against proposals by Government agency Transport Scotland which could see the closure of five railway stations in the north of Glasgow.

A spokesman said: "The people of Glasgow will not like the SNP declaring the result before a single vote has been cast.

"Labour is putting forward Glasgow's A-team, with a mix of experienced civic leaders and new faces, ready and eager to focus on the big issues: boosting Glasgow's economy, supporting graduate employment, and helping pensioners with their bills."