- In an ambitious move signalling its intent for a third consecutive term, the BJP is poised to announce the names of approximately 100 candidates for the 024 LS elections.
- This anticipated first list is anticipated to include prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Sources revealed that the party aims to unveil a significant portion of its candidates, excluding its NDA partners, well in advance of the official announcement of poll dates.
- it is speculated that PM Modi will contest from Varanasi in UP, while Amit Shah may secure candidacy from Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.
In an ambitious move signalling its intent for a third consecutive term, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to announce the names of approximately 100 candidates for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This anticipated first list is anticipated to include prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The decision comes after extensive deliberations during a series of marathon meetings held overnight in Delhi.
The focal point of these discussions, led by Prime Minister Modi at his residence in Delhi, was to strategize around the selection of candidates, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders including grassroots-level workers and constituents. With a strategic aim to combat anti-incumbency bias, the BJP is set to implement tactical reshuffling while aiming to gauge the pulse of the electorate.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the party aims to unveil a significant portion of its candidates, excluding those from its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, well in advance of the official announcement of poll dates. This calculated move seeks to exert pressure on its primary adversary, the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which is yet to finalize seat-sharing agreements.
The overnight deliberations primarily focused on key states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, alongside unexpected considerations for states like Kerala and Telangana. Additionally, discussions regarding other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu have been temporarily postponed pending alliance negotiations with regional parties.
Amidst speculations, it is anticipated that Prime Minister Modi will contest from the Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh, while Amit Shah may secure candidacy from Gujarat’s Gandhinagar constituency, a stronghold of the BJP. Other notable potential candidates include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, among others.
However, amidst the anticipation, there may be surprises in store, including the possible exclusion of controversial figure Pragya Thakur from the electoral fray, with speculations suggesting a nomination for former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan instead.
In a bid to expedite its electoral preparations, the BJP aims to unveil at least 50% of its candidates by March 10, mirroring its approach in the 2019 elections, where it revealed a substantial number of candidates well in advance of the official announcement of election dates.
As the political landscape evolves and alliances take shape, the BJP’s strategic maneuvers underscore its determination to secure a decisive victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The unveiling of the initial list of candidates represents the first step in what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral battle.
(With inputs from agencies)
