BJP’S MEETING TILL 4 AM MAPS OUT WINNING FORMULAS

New Delhi: Sources reveal that following a late-night session chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has finalized its roster of 100-125 Lok Sabha candidates. Insider information suggests that the release of the initial candidate list is imminent. The marathon meeting, held at the BJP headquarters in Delhi from 11 pm Thursday to 4 am Friday, played a crucial role in candidate selection.

With the upcoming March 6 Cabinet meeting, speculation is rife that the BJP may unveil its initial Lok Sabha candidate list, marking the final such meeting before the upcoming elections. There’s anticipation that the BJP might surprise by revoking tickets of certain ministers in this first list, with announcements potentially following the Cabinet session as part of their strategy.

There are rumors that MPs with lackluster performance records may face ticket cancellations, aligning with PM Modi’s assertion of the BJP’s commitment to contesting vigorously for every parliamentary seat. The candidate roster will prioritize high-profile figures and address ‘weak’ seats where the party narrowly lost out in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

States discussed during the late-night deliberations include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Kerala, and Telangana. Insider sources further suggest the possibility of Union Ministers, who also serve as Rajya Sabha MPs, contesting in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections anticipated in April-May. Notable personalities under consideration include Bhupender Yadav, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sarbanand Sonowal, Dharmendra Padhan, S Jaishankar, and V Muraleedharan.

Moreover, the BJP’s candidate list will feature fresh faces, with a particular emphasis on female candidates. For instance, there’s buzz surrounding potential candidacy of Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, who may challenge TMC MP and actor Shatrughan Sinha in WB’s Asansol district. Modi is also scheduled to chair meeting of Council of Ministers on March 3.