The BJP has rolled out its second candidate list for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, also revealing their picks for Delhi's two remaining seats. Harsh Malhotra and Yogendra Chandolia are now in the fray, representing East Delhi and Northwest Delhi respectively. With this announcement, the party’s lineup for all seven Delhi seats has been clarified, showcasing the strategic play of catapulting former Mayors into the electoral battle.
Harsh Malhotra served as Mayor in 2015-16
Among the nominees for this year's Lok Sabha elections are three former Mayors from Delhi. Harsh Malhotra, who now competes for East Delhi, holds a significant history with this region, previously sitting on the municipal council and chairing the Education Committee, and has also held the position of Mayor.
Harsh Malhotra, with roots in the Punjabi community, appeals to the substantial number of Punjabi voters in East Delhi. The BJP had previously engaged a Punjabi candidate, the famous Gautam Gambhir, in the electoral arena. Post his victory against his Congress rival, Gambhir marked his entry into Parliament. Gautam Gambhir has since retired from active politics.
Yogendra Chandolia also Former Mayor
The Northwest Delhi seat, now reserved for the SC category, will witness Yogendra Chandolia stepping up as the BJP candidate. Chandolia's record includes stints as Chairman of the standing committee and as a Mayor. As a municipal councillor from Karol Bagh, he makes a significant bid for a stronghold with a large SC voter base. Previously, Udit Raj claimed this pivotal seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, before later parting ways with the BJP to join Congress.
Kamaljeet Sehrawat, the Former South Delhi Mayor
Furthermore, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, representing West Delhi's Dwarka B ward, also serves as BJP’s city secretary. Sehrawat who hails from the Jat community is a noteworthy inclusion, given West Delhi's substantial Jat population and the community's influence on neighboring constituencies. The BJP had earlier fielded Parvesh Verma, the son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, as their candidate from this community in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
Ticket for State Officer
This time around, the Delhi BJP has nominated Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj, from the New Delhi seat, infusing vigor among party workers by awarding tickets to key office bearers.
Understand BJP’s Ground Game
By granting tickets to ex-municipal councillors, the BJP aims to inspire every grassroots worker with the message that anyone from humble beginnings can climb the political ladder. The move to endorse these candidates reflects the party's broader strategy to uplift local workers whose persistent efforts are crucial to BJP's potential success in upcoming legislative assembly elections.
