The wait for BJP’s candidate list may end this week

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may soon release the list of its candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections. Discussions have intensified within the party regarding ticket distribution, and former Union ministers, former MPs, and senior officials of the Delhi unit are also involved in the race. BJP’s Central Election Committee will decide on the final list of candidates for 70 assembly constituencies.

Names of possible candidates are in discussion

According to news agency PTI, the party has prepared a list of 3-4 potential candidates per constituency. The Central Election Committee will soon take a decision on these names shortlisted by the State Election Committee. The final announcement is likely to be made this week.

Who are the ticket contenders?

1. Former Union Minister and MP

• Harsh Vardhan: He is considered a strong contender for the ticket from Krishna Nagar area of ​​East Delhi.
• Meenakshi Lekhi: There is talk of contesting elections from Kasturba Nagar seat.

2. Major seats and contenders

• New Delhi Seat:
  • Former MP Parvesh Verma has been asked by national leaders to prepare for this seat.
  • Since 2013, this seat is held by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
• Kalkaji Seat:
  • Senior South Delhi leader Ramesh Bidhuri is considered to be the top contender.
  • Presently this seat is being represented by Chief Minister Atishi.

3. Former State President and Mayor

• Satish Upadhyay: He is contesting from Malviya Nagar seat.
• Aadesh Gupta: Aspirant for ticket from New Delhi seat, based on the work of last two years.
• Ravindra Gupta: He is considered a strong contender from Sadar Bazar seat.
• Jai Prakash: Lost to AAP’s Som Dutt in 2020, is again contesting from Sadar Bazar seat.

4. General Secretary and other senior leaders

• Vishnu Gupta and Raj Kumar Bhatia: are said to be frontrunners in the race from different constituencies.

Claims of SC Morcha and other presidents

Presidents of BJP fronts and cells are also in the race to get the ticket.

• Mohan Lal Gihara: SC Morcha president, keen to contest from Madipur reserved seat.
• Harish Khurana: Son of former chief minister Madan Lal Khurana, is the main contender for the Moti Nagar seat.
• Virendra Babbar: Has expressed his desire to contest elections from Moti Nagar seat only.

BJP’s electoral position in Delhi

BJP, out of power in Delhi since 1998, has made every possible effort to defeat AAP, which has been dominant since 2013.

• In 2015, the party had got only three seats.
• The performance in the 2020 elections was slightly better and the party won eight seats.
• This time BJP is preparing to challenge AAP with big faces and new names.

Will BJP’s fortunes change this time?

BJP’s performance in Delhi Assembly elections has paled in comparison to AAP in the last few years. However, this time the picture is expected to change due to the party’s strategy and selection of candidates. The party’s focus is on candidates who have a strong hold at the grassroots level and who have a direct connect with the public.