The announcement of the names of candidates by the BJP, for the Rajya Sabha has made it clear that half a dozen ministers and some big leaders will contest the Lok Sabha elections. However, this also indicates that some Rajya Sabha members will not be repeated. It will be interesting to see who is fielded from where for the Lok Sabha elections. The way leaders from other parties are joining the BJP, they are likely to be accommodated in the Lok Sabha. Looking at BJP’s strategy, it seems that many faces from the opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha may be seen in the camp of the ruling BJP.
The BJP is serious about achieving the target of 400 seats. Most leaders joining the BJP from Rajasthan are hopeful that the party will give them tickets for the Lok Sabha. Looking at the current situation in the Congress, it seems that some more leaders in Rajasthan may join the BJP. Additionally, leaders from states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra are also in contact with the BJP. The number of leaders joining the BJP could increase until the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speeches in the Lok Sabha have raised the hopes of disappointed opposition leaders. PM Modi said that there are many good leaders in the opposition who are not given a chance. In a way, this message has been conveyed that those who want to join the BJP can do so. PM Modi has set a target of crossing 400 seats this time. The party has already got RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh. Many leaders from the Samajwadi Party too have been approached. The BJP is focused on increasing the number of its seats and is actively searching for weak links in the party in every state. The party has achieved success in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. It has strengthened its base in Haryana.
The next targets are Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Karnataka, where some leaders can soon join the BJP. Ashok Chavan has been given the opportunity to be in the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra. However, whoever else joins the BJP now will have to contest the Lok Sabha elections. National president J.P. Nadda, L. Murugan, and Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have been given the opportunity to be in the Rajya Sabha. However, some ministers and senior leaders did not get that chance.
Among them, Central Minister Bhupendra Yadav could contest the Lok Sabha elections from Rajasthan or Haryana. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan may contest from Odisha or Delhi. It will be interesting to see whether Mansukh Mandaviya contests for the Lok Sabha or enters Gujarat politics. Purushottam Rupala and Narayan Rane could be given an opportunity for the Lok Sabha. There is suspense regarding the elections of V. Muraleedharan and Anil Baluni. Sushil Kumar Modi and Saroj Pandey could contest for the Lok Sabha. There is doubt if former Central Minister Prakash Javadekar will get a ticket this time.