In a bold move for its third bid for power, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is shaking up its roster by opting to replace a significant portion of its sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Out with the Old, In with the New:
The BJP has unveiled six lists of candidates for just over 400 seats, and notably, approximately a fourth of its sitting MPs, totaling around 100 individuals, have been denied tickets for re-election. This trend echoes the party’s strategy from the 2019 elections when 99 sitting MPs were not fielded. This time, with candidates announced for 405 seats already, it’s anticipated that the number of ousted sitting MPs may surpass previous records as more may find themselves without tickets.
The Modi Factor:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy appears to be centered on mitigating anti-incumbency sentiments by introducing fresh faces. Modi has stressed the importance of the party symbol, the lotus, over individual candidates, emphasizing that no one has the entitlement to demand tickets. Instead, the campaign focuses on Modi’s leadership, his welfare schemes, and the party’s claimed achievements in foreign and economic policies.
New Faces, New Strategies:
Under Modi’s leadership, the BJP is tapping into a diverse pool of candidates. This includes former Chief Ministers and Rajya Sabha MPs, such as Dharmendra Pradhan, Bhupender Yadav, and Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who are now vying for Lok Sabha seats. Additionally, past Chief Ministers like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar have been fielded, leveraging their established stature in state politics.
Crossing Party Lines:
A notable feature of the BJP’s strategy is the inclusion of defectors from other parties. Individuals like Naveen Jindal and Ashok Tanwar, who recently joined the BJP from the Congress, have swiftly secured candidacies. This trend extends to prominent figures like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, who switched sides in recent years, further diversifying the BJP’s candidate pool.
Changing Tides:
Some sitting MPs may find themselves replaced due to waning popularity or statements that have embarrassed the party. Notable names like Meenakshi Lekhi, Ramesh Bidhuri, and Varun Gandhi are among those facing potential ousting, signaling a shift towards candidates more aligned with the party’s current objectives.
As the BJP reshapes its electoral strategy, it’s evident that the party is prioritizing adaptability and diversity in its candidate selection process. With fresh faces and new strategies, the BJP aims to secure victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.