BJP’s first Delhi candidate list drops four sitting MPs after Gautam Gambhir expresses desire to quit politics

Gautam Gambhir wanted to quit politics, INDIA leaders react to BJP’s 1st list!

Congress leader Pawan Khera remarked that the recent announcement of BJP’s 195 candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha election sheds light on Gautam Gambhir’s morning decision to quit politics. Khera expressed confusion over Gambhir and Jayant Sinha’s consecutive announcements to step back from politics, questioning whether dissatisfaction with the party’s working method led to this. He raised concerns about the dropped names in the list and questioned if the BJP leadership was unhappy with the performance of sitting MPs. Khera emphasized the responsibility to answer to the public for the past five years and called for an explanation from the BJP regarding the decisions.

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Pawan Khera raised pointed questions, stating that individuals like Meenakshi Lekhi and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur may not have secured victories based solely on their names. He further questioned the reasons behind the re-fielding of Tenji ji from Kheri, especially in the aftermath of his son’s involvement in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident where farmers were mowed down. The inquiry implied that there might be external pressures or considerations influencing such political decisions.

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Congress leader Pawan Khera provided insights following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) announcement of its first list comprising 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Khera shed light on the apparent connection between BJP’s candidate selection and Gautam Gambhir’s earlier declaration of his desire to step away from active politics.

Khera remarked on the consecutive announcements by Gautam Gambhir and Jayant Sinha expressing their intent to quit politics. This sequence left observers perplexed about the motivations behind these decisions. Khera questioned whether these leaders were dissatisfied with the party’s working methodology or if the BJP leadership was not pleased with the performance of the sitting MPs. He raised concerns about accountability to the people for the last five years and questioned whether the BJP believed they couldn’t secure victories even by invoking PM Modi’s name during the election campaigns.

The Congress leader specifically addressed Meenakshi Lekhi and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, pondering if their chances of winning relied solely on the party’s name. Additionally, he raised questions about the re-fielding of Tenji from Kheri, given the controversies involving Tenji’s son in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. These queries underscored the perceived challenges and concerns within the BJP, as suggested by Khera.

As the BJP revealed its list, it became apparent that there had been significant alterations in the Delhi candidates. Praveen Khandelwal for Chandni Chowk, Manoj Tiwari for North East Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj for New Delhi, Kamaljeet Sehrawar for West Delhi, and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri for South Delhi emerged as the chosen candidates. Notably, the sitting MPs—Meenakshi Lekhi, Harsh Vardhan, Parvesh Verma, and Ramesh Bidhuri—were excluded from the list.

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This reshuffling marked a noteworthy departure from the incumbency norm and hinted at strategic changes in the party’s electoral approach.
Meanwhile, Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra criticized the first list for its inadequate representation of women. She pointed out that out of the 195 candidates announced, only 28 were women, amounting to a mere 14%. Moitra questioned the BJP’s commitment to the previously advocated 33% reservation for women and criticized the party for falling short on gender inclusivity.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav interpreted the BJP’s candidate list as an acknowledgment of their potential defeat. He argued that the list reflected the BJP’s assessment of their likelihood of winning in 195 seats, indicating a lack of confidence. Akhilesh expressed disappointment among BJP workers, suggesting that the distribution of tickets to those who hadn’t actively contributed to their constituencies added to the disillusionment.

The day also witnessed the surprising announcement by East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir, who expressed his desire to be relieved of political duties to focus on his cricket commitments. However, the first list did not confirm the absence of his name from the candidates, leaving uncertainty about the party’s response to his request.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seized the opportunity to take a subtle jab at the BJP, insinuating that the party indiscriminately fields candidates without considering their eligibility or commitment to public service. The AAP suggested that Gautam Gambhir’s plea to be relieved of political duties indicated that the BJP was not planning to nominate him in the upcoming elections.

As political circles buzzed with speculation about Gambhir’s possible replacement, AAP minister Atishi criticized the BJP for its trend of selecting candidates without sufficient consideration for their effectiveness or dedication to serving the people. She asserted that elected representatives from the BJP were often invisible in their constituencies, highlighting what she perceived as a recurrent issue within the party.

While the BJP is yet to announce candidates for the Delhi constituencies in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, speculations regarding Gautam Gambhir’s replacement include names like Virendra Sachdeva, Harsh Malhotra, and Vishnu Mittal. The unfolding developments and strategic shifts in candidate selection set the stage for an intriguing and closely watched political contest in Delhi.