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This move, seen as a message from the party’s high command, targeted controversial figures and notable leaders, sending shockwaves through the political landscape.
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a sweeping change in its electoral strategy by replacing 33 sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) with new faces in its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This move, seen as a message from the party’s high command, targeted controversial figures and notable leaders, sending shockwaves through the political landscape.
Among those missing from the list are prominent figures like Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, Hazaribagh MP Jayant Sinha, Bhopal MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, and South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri, known for making communal remarks in Parliament.
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The BJP’s strategic decision was particularly evident in Delhi, where four out of the five Lok Sabha seats saw replacements of sitting MPs. Harsh Vardhan, the two-term MP and former Union Minister was replaced by Praveen Khandelwal for the Chandani Chowk constituency.
BJP reveals its candidates for Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Uttar Pradesh:
Mathura: Hema Malini
Agra: Satyapal Singh Baghel
Dhaurahra: Rekha Verma
Sitapur: Rajesh Verma
Lucknow: Rajnath Singh
Amethi: Smriti Irani
Etawah: Ram Shankar Katheria
Fatehpur: Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti… pic.twitter.com/DuyT2tDKFW— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) March 2, 2024
Kamaljeet Sehrawat took over from Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma for the West Delhi seat. Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj, was named as the candidate for New Delhi, replacing Meenakshi Lekhi. Additionally, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri replaced Ramesh Bidhuri for the South Delhi constituency.
The absence of key figures such as Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, who gained prominence in the 2019 elections, highlights a shift in the BJP’s approach. Thakur, known for her controversial statements, has faced criticism for remarks about Hemant Karkare and her praise for Nathuram Godse.
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Her exclusion signals a move by the party to distance itself from contentious figures. Ramesh Bidhuri, who recently stirred controversy with derogatory remarks in Parliament, has been served a show-cause notice by BJP president JP Nadda. The incident has prompted widespread criticism, and the party’s swift response suggests a zero-tolerance approach towards inappropriate conduct.
Similarly, Parvesh Verma, whose remarks called for an “economic boycott” of a particular community, has been replaced by Kamaljeet Sehrawat. This shift reflects the BJP’s attempt to reposition itself, steering away from leaders whose statements have drawn condemnation.
BJP reveals candidates for Delhi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024:
Chandni Chowk – Praveen Khandelwal
New Delhi – Bansuri Swaraj
West delhi – Kamaljeet SehrawatReports: @rohanduaT02#bjp #NDA #LokSabhaElections2024 #LokSabha pic.twitter.com/CXteM7dE6y
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) March 2, 2024
Jayant Sinha’s departure from the Hazaribag Lok Sabha seat, replaced by BJP’s Hazaribag MLA Manish Jaiswal, follows Sinha’s request to be relieved from direct electoral duties. Sinha had previously admitted to providing financial assistance to individuals accused of lynching a meat trader, leading to controversy. The BJP’s strategic overhaul suggests a calculated effort to present a renewed and more disciplined image to voters
