The BJP's initial roster of 195 candidates for the impending Lok Sabha elections unveiled a significant overhaul in Delhi's political landscape, with four incumbent MPs notably sidelined to make room for fresh faces. Among these incumbent MPs was Ramesh Bidhuri, whose tenure in South Delhi came under scrutiny following contentious remarks directed at BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament last year.
In a notable shuffle, the BJP has replaced Ramesh Bidhuri with Ranveer Singh Bidhuri as its candidate for South Delhi.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Ramesh Bidhuri metaphorically alluded to the ticket snub, likening it to the hospitality extended to guests. He remarked, "When guests come to one's house, they are made to sleep on new bedsheets while the residents of the house sleep on old sheets."
In an indirect nod to the fresh entrants into the electoral fray, Ramesh Bidhuri emphasized their status as guests, contrasting it with his assertion of being a longstanding member of the political household. He underscored the responsibility incumbent upon family members to uphold the unit's ideology and safeguard its dignity and reputation.
Asserting that the BJP is not a dynastic entity, Ramesh Bidhuri acknowledged the party's deliberate decision-making process behind the denial of his ticket.
Ramesh Bidhuri's altercation with Danish Ali last year sparked widespread controversy and drew sharp criticism. His use of offensive language during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 mission in the Lok Sabha prompted BJP National President JP Nadda to issue a showcase notice. Subsequently, Bidhuri's remarks were expunged from parliamentary records.
Alongside Ramesh Bidhuri, three other BJP MPs from Delhi, namely Meenakshi Lekhi, Harsh Vardhan, and Parvesh Verma, were also overlooked for Lok Sabha tickets in the party's recent candidate selection process.
