In BJP's first list of 195 parliamentary candidates, there are hidden messages indicating future plans. One clear signal to ministers is the necessity to secure public support to maintain their cabinet positions. This may explain why 34 ministers from Modi's government have been fielded in the elections.
Several central ministers, currently Rajya Sabha members, are set to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Notable names include Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav from Alwar, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia from Guna, Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala from Rajkot, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from Dibrugarh, and Technology and Information State Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Thiruvananthapuram, among others.
Tickets Slashed for Underperforming MPs
The party's list sends a stark message to incumbent MPs who haven't lived up to expectations. While the focus is on constituencies lost in the 2019 elections, some victorious seats have seen candidate changes. A critical example is in Delhi, where only one current MP has been retained across five seats. Bhojpuri singer and actor Manoj Tiwari will recontest from the Northeast Delhi constituency.
Distance from controversy-prone MPs
Key figures such as Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk and Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi have been omitted from the list. The party has distanced itself from MPs like Ramesh Bidhuri, known for his controversial remarks, and Pragya Singh Thakur, whose comments even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi disapproved of. Similarly, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma has been noted for his contentious statements. In the 2024 elections, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri will represent South Delhi. Bansuri Swaraj is fielded for Central Delhi, Kamaljeet Sehrawat for West Delhi, and Alok Sharma will be the face of BJP in Bhopal.
See BJP's First List for Lok Sabha Elections Here
Honor Given to Leaders with Strong Support Bases
BJP has ticked the box for hardworking leaders with popular support in its first list, including three former chief ministers and two progenies of former chief ministers. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the former CM of Madhya Pradesh, is slated to run from Vidisha with a potential significant role post-elections. Tripura's former CM Biplab Kumar Deb and ex-CM of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal have been presented from West Tripura and Dibrugarh, respectively. Dushyant Singh, son of former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, is campaigned for Jhalawar, while Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of late Delhi CM Sushma Swaraj, is put forward for New Delhi.
Representation Promised for Every Society Sector
Out of the 195 parliamentary seats BJP has declared candidates for, 155 were won in 2019. Over 20% of current MPs have been replaced. In the announcement, National General Secretary Vinod Tawde highlighted the inclusion of 28 women, 27 from Scheduled Castes, 18 from Scheduled Tribes, and 57 from Other Backward Classes. Moreover, 47 candidates below 50 years will contest in the Lok Sabha elections.
General Election Announcement Expected Soon
The Election Commission is anticipated to announce the Lok Sabha election schedule by month's end. With 303 seats won in 2019, BJP, under PM Modi's lead, is aiming beyond 400 seats, focusing on a standalone win in 370 constituencies. Upon releasing the candidate list, Tawde expressed confidence in securing a resounding mandate for a third term and emphasized party expansion in various states and strengthening the National Democratic Alliance.
