The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kickstarted its electoral campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by releasing its second list of candidates. This crucial announcement comes as the party gears up to contest the high-stakes general elections, scheduled to take place in April-May this year. The second list, comprising 72 names, showcases the BJP’s strategic approach to fielding a formidable team of candidates across various states and union territories.
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From seasoned politicians and incumbent ministers to fresh faces and surprising inclusions, the party’s latest list has generated a significant buzz in the country’s political landscape, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle in the coming months.
Lok Sabha Elections: Prominent Names and Key Figures
The second list features several high-profile candidates, including:
Union Ministers
- Anurag Thakur (Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh)
- Nitin Gadkari (Nagpur, Maharashtra)
- Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
- Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad, Karnataka)
Former Chief Ministers
- Manohar Lal Khattar (Karnal, Haryana)
- Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri, Karnataka)
Other Notable Candidates
- Tejaswi Surya (Bangalore South, Karnataka)
- Anil Baluni (Garhwal, Uttarakhand)
- BY Raghavendra (Shimoga, Karnataka) – Son of former Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa
State-wise Highlights
Karnataka
The BJP has fielded a strong contingent of candidates in Karnataka, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from Haveri and Tejaswi Surya, the party’s youth wing chief, from Bangalore South. The list also features seasoned leaders like Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and B. Sriramulu (Bellary).
Maharashtra
Maharashtra sees a strong contingent, including Heena Vijaykumar Gavit (Nandurbar), Subhash Ramrao Bhamre (Dhule), Smita Wagh (Jalgaon), Raksha Nikhil Khadase (Raver), Anup Dhotre (Akola), Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas (Wardha), Sudhir Mungantiwar (Chandrapur), Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar (Nanded), Kapil Moreshwar Patil (Bhiwandi), Mihir Kotecha (Mumbai North East), Murlidhar Kidan Mohol (Pune), Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Ahmadnagar), Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangare (Latur), Ranjeetsinha Hindurao Naik-Nimbalkar (Madha), and Sanjaykaka Patil (Sangli).
Gujarat
The BJP has announced candidates for several seats in Gujarat, including Kalaben Delkar (Dadar and Nagar Haveli), Bhikaji Dudhaji Thakor (Sabarkantha), and Nimuben Bambhania (Bhavnagar).
Haryana
Former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will contest from Karnal, while Banto Kataria, wife of late party MP Ratan Lal Kataria, has been fielded from Ambala.
Delhi
In the national capital, the BJP has introduced fresh faces, with Harsh Malhotra contesting from East Delhi and Yogendra Chandolia from the SC-reserved North West Delhi constituency.
Telangana
Telangana sees the inclusion of Godam Nagesh (Adilabad), Gomasa Srinavas (Peddapalle), Madavaneni Raghunandan Rao (Medak), DK Aruna (Mahbubnagar), Saida Reddy (Nalgonda), and Azmeera Seetaram Naik (Mahabubabad). Notably, Seetaram Naik, Saidireddy, and Godam Nagesh recently joined the BJP from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party.
Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat will contest from Hardwar, while Anil Baluni, the party’s national media in-charge, has been fielded from Garhwal. Tripura East will see Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma representing the BJP.
Surprise Inclusions and Controversies
The second list has brought some surprises and controversies. In Sirsa, the BJP has replaced sitting MP Sunita Duggal with former Congress leader Ashok Tanwar, who recently joined the party from AAP.
In Karnataka’s Tumkur constituency, the party has nominated V Somanna, a disgruntled leader known for publicly criticizing party leaders, raising eyebrows within the BJP circles.
The BJP’s second list of candidates covers a diverse range of states and union territories, featuring a mix of experienced leaders, fresh faces, and candidates from various backgrounds. As the election season heats up, the party’s strategy and candidate selection will undoubtedly be scrutinized by political pundits and voters alike.
As the election season intensifies, the BJP’s candidates will embark on a rigorous campaign trail, aiming to connect with voters, articulate their vision, and consolidate support. The coming months are set to witness a high-octane political discourse, with the party’s leaders and foot soldiers leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of electoral success.
Find the full list of candidates here
The BJP Central Election Committee has decided on the following names for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 13, 2024
(2/2) pic.twitter.com/UAUnTtrput
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