In the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is strategically fielding a significant number of former chief ministers and state powerhouses, ranging from Manohar Lal Khattar and Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Trivendra Singh Rawat and Basavaraj Bommai.
A close analysis of the BJP's candidate lists reveals a deliberate move to nominate former chief ministers who either faced defeat in Assembly elections or were not granted another term. This approach aligns with the party's decision to replace approximately 21% of its sitting MPs among the 267 candidates announced thus far.
Former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar will contest from Karnal, while ex-Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been nominated for Vidisha. Similarly, former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai is set to contest from Haveri. Meanwhile, the BJP has opted to drop former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in Uttarakhand's Haridwar in favor of Trivendra Singh Rawat.
This tactic underscores the BJP's reliance on experienced leaders who bring administrative expertise, grassroots networks, and enhanced chances of electoral success, crucial as the party aims to achieve its ambitious goal of securing 370 seats as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Moreover, by nominating former CMs, the BJP seeks to avoid experimentation in politically vital regions like the Hindi heartland states and the northeast, where it either holds power or has alliances with regional ruling parties.
In contrast, the Congress has taken a different approach, with several senior leaders and former chief ministers like Ashok Gehlot opting out of electoral contests. Instead, the Congress has chosen to field candidates such as Gaurav Gogoi, Vaibhav Gehlot, and Nakul Nath, who are the sons of former CMs.
This strategic move by the BJP not only aims to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in state units but also leverages the popularity and administrative acumen of former CMs to bolster the party's electoral prospects and potentially strengthen the Modi 3.0 Cabinet with seasoned administrators.
