BJP's Electoral Chessboard: Decoding the Winning Formula for 2024!
- In मुख्य समाचार 3 March 2024 11:17 AM IST
In a strategic move ahead of...
In a strategic move ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its initial roster of candidates, featuring a robust lineup of 51 contenders for constituencies across Uttar Pradesh. The seasoned trio, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi contesting from Varanasi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh vying for Lucknow, and Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani set to compete in Amethi, is gearing up for a formidable bid aimed at securing a remarkable third consecutive term.
With an eye on reclaiming lost ground since the 2019 results, the BJP has chosen to field candidates in seven out of the 14 seats it lost in the previous election. Noteworthy is the inclusion of four fresh faces entrusted with the responsibility of representing the party in these crucial constituencies.
Under the banner of Modi 2.0, 44 sitting MPs, including 15 ministers from UP, are set to once again vie for electoral success. The list boasts prominent leaders such as Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Mahendranath Pandey, and others.
However, crucial decisions are still pending for significant constituencies like Ghaziabad, currently represented by Union Minister General V.K. Singh, and Mirzapur, held by party leader Anupriya Patel.
In an expansion move, the BJP has strategically brought in Ritesh Pandey, formerly associated with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), for the Ambedkar Nagar seat, and former Maharashtra Congress minister Kripashankar Singh for Jaunpur.
Putting emphasis on women's representation in politics, the BJP has nominated five women in its inaugural list, including Smriti Irani, Sadhvi Niranjana Jyoti, Hema Malini, Rekha Varma, and Neelam Sonkar.
Determined to overturn past electoral setbacks, the BJP has judiciously selected candidates for constituencies where it faced defeat in 2019. The party's strategy combines the experience of seasoned leaders with the enthusiasm of fresh faces, aiming for victories in crucial seats like Amroha, Sambhal, Lalganj, Nagina, Shravasti, Ambedkar Nagar, and Jaunpur.
The list's standout inclusion is Saket Mishra, son of Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra, who will be contesting from Shravasti.
Underlining social inclusivity, the BJP has fielded candidates from diverse backgrounds, including Brahmins, Thakurs, and a Parsi. The party has also given representation to various communities such as Lodhi, Kurmi, Jat, Gurjar, Yadav, Kashyap, Kushwaha, Nishad, Gupta, Saini, and Teli.
In a move to address the concerns of marginalized communities, the BJP has nominated candidates from reserved categories like Pasi, Pal-Gadaria, Kori, Dhanuk, Jatav, and Khateek.
A notable departure from tradition, the BJP has chosen not to field a Jatav candidate in any constituency within the Agra, Saharanpur, and Meerut commissionerates. Similarly, no Thakur candidate has been announced for the Western and Braj regions.
Contrary to earlier indications, the BJP has opted to field veteran actress Hema Malini, surpassing the previously suggested age restriction for candidates. The 75-year-old actress is set to contest from Mathura, breaking barriers for candidates above the age of 75.
