The BJP has kicked off candidate selection for the upcoming Assembly elections, with the state unit submitting a list of 209 candidates to the central high command in Delhi. The candidates in the first list were selected by a team headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to reports.
Uttar Pradesh has 403 Assembly seats, and the BJP is eyeing more than 300 seats to secure a third consecutive term.
The first list was compiled by Team Yogi and is based on internal surveys and extensive brainstorming. The BJP leadership gathered feedback from the ground, considering local and caste dynamics before finalising the candidates.
Yogi is also said to have held meetings with agencies and leaders during his frequent visits to various regions. The Chief Minister considered factors including anti-incumbency, the candidates' public connect, the reaction of local leaders, and caste equations before zeroing in on the candidates. It is said that the BJP also took into account potential Samajwadi Party candidates before deciding on its choices.
The first list includes candidates in whom Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has full confidence.
Meanwhile, Vinod Tawde, the in-charge of the state, has indicated that a large survey was conducted to decide on sitting MLAs who will not be considered for another stint. A similar indication has also been given by the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pankaj Chaudhary.
Last time, the party denied tickets to 70 sitting MLAs. This time, that number could exceed 100. This means that approximately 40 percent of the current MLAs could be replaced.
Once the list is approved by the BJP high command, the candidates will be given the green light to begin election preparations. This early selection process is intended to give candidates enough time to connect with voters and strengthen their grassroots presence.
The early move is due to the fact that the state leadership believes the delay in selecting candidates was one reason for the party’s poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the recent MLC elections. The dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections was attributed to poor candidate selection and a lack of coordination between state and central leaders regarding the candidates.
