The BJP is expected to release its first list of candidates, including with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah today for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, after extensive overnight deliberations in Delhi, including a marathon session led by the PM himself at his residence reportedly ending at 4 am on Friday.
In a late-night meeting attended by BJP top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda, the ruling party engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding potential candidates for the 543 Lok Sabha seats, ahead of the Election Commission”s poll schedule announcement. The elections will be scheduled for April-May.
Reports suggest that the BJP”s strategy among other things includes feedback from grassroots-level workers and constituents regarding incumbent MPs. Employing a meticulous approach, the party has adopted a multi-layered process comprising public input, internal assessments, and strategic consultations.
Employing the Namo App, the public was asked to evaluate the performance of their respective MPs, ensuring alignment with local sentiments and aspirations. Over the past two years, the BJP has consistently sought feedback from its MPs, addressing concerns and evaluating performance, sources said.
The BJP also collaborated with survey agencies to compile comprehensive reports on each parliamentary constituency. Ministers were tasked with visiting Lok Sabha constituencies, gathering insights, and compiling detailed reports on incumbent MPs.
Subsequently, all information was collated in state-level election committee meetings, serving as the basis for the final candidate selection process. State-level BJP leaders engaged in discussions with BJP chief Nadda, Home Minister Shah, and general secretary BL Santosh.
It is learnt that MPs with underwhelming performances might lose their tickets, with an estimated 60-70 incumbents potentially facing cancellation to make room for fresh faces.
The party has indicated that many of its MPs from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community are likely to contest again, building on the success of 85 OBC MPs in the 2019 elections. Additionally, several Union ministers, such as Bhupender Yadav, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Mansukh Mandaviya, are expected to be nominated for the upcoming elections.
The late-night deliberations primarily focused on candidates for key states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, alongside Kerala and Telangana. Decisions regarding states like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are pending alliance talks with regional parties.
The party aims to announce at least 50 percent of its candidates by March 10, mirroring its approach in 2019 when it revealed 164 candidates on March 21, ahead of the official announcement of election dates.
