In a move signaling the BJP’s preparations for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, at least 18 Rajya Sabha MPs, including 10 Union ministers, have been asked by the party to start working on their campaigns. Sources reveal that these MPs and ministers, who are part of the Narendra Modi cabinet, have been assigned five Lok Sabha constituencies each and are expected to choose three seats to contest on the party ticket.
Prominent names among the Union ministers being considered for the Lok Sabha elections include Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Bhupendra Yadav, Dharmendra Pradhan, Mansukh Mandaviya, Hardeep Puri, S. Jaishankar, and Purushottam Rupala. These ministers, all completing their second terms in the Rajya Sabha, have been selected based on their performances and ability to sway voters in the 2024 elections.
According to sources, S. Jaishankar may contest from the New Delhi seat, while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is likely to contest from either Sambalpur or Dhenkanal in Odisha. There are rumors that Nirmala Sitharaman might contest from Madurai, and Hardeep Puri, completing his second Rajya Sabha term, could enter the fray from Amritsar or any other Sikh-dominated constituency.
The name of BJP Chief JP Nadda is also being considered, with a possibility of contesting from the Mandi seat. Another close confidant of Prime Minister Modi, Piyush Goyal, is likely to contest from either Chandni Chowk or Pune. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has been asked to choose a seat from Gujarat.
In addition to Union ministers, Rajya Sabha MPs are also being discussed as potential candidates. Dr. K. Laxman, the national president of BJP OBC Morcha, may contest from Chevella in Telangana, while Sushil Kumar Modi, former deputy CM of Bihar, is being considered for the Bhagalpur seat. Other names being discussed include AP Abdullakutty from Lakshadweep, Jaiveer Shergill from Anandpur Sahib Ludhiana, Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur, and Baijayant Jay Panda from Odisha.
Furthermore, BJP National spokesperson Sambit Patra might contest from Puri in Odisha, and DK Aruna, co-in charge of BJP Karnataka, from Mehabubnagar. Several party MLAs, including Raja Singh from Goshamahal in Telangana and Vanathi Srinivasan, the national president of BJP Mahila Morcha, are also being considered for the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP’s decision to field Union ministers and Rajya Sabha MPs reflects the party’s strategy to leverage their experience and popularity to secure victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These potential candidates are expected to play crucial roles in the BJP’s campaign efforts as they strive to retain power in the upcoming elections.
