BJP finalizes candidates for Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 1, 2023, held a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting to finalize candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior party leaders.
The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win back power in both states, which it lost to the Congress in the 2018 assembly elections. The party has been holding extensive consultations with its leaders and cadres at the grassroots level to identify the best candidates for each seat.
The BJP has already announced candidates for 21 seats in Chhattisgarh and 79 seats in Madhya Pradesh, which are also going to polls this year. The party is yet to announce candidates for the remaining seats in Chhattisgarh and all seats in Rajasthan.
The BJP is expected to announce its first list of candidates for Rajasthan in the next few days. The party is likely to field a mix of old and new faces, including some prominent leaders from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The BJP is facing a tough challenge from the Congress in both Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Congress is banking on the popularity of its chief ministers, Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, respectively, to retain power in the two states.
The BJP is hoping to capitalize on the anti-incumbency factor against the Congress government in Rajasthan. The party is also highlighting the achievements of the Modi government at the center.
The BJP is likely to field former chief minister Vasundhara Raje as its chief ministerial candidate in Rajasthan. Raje is a popular leader among the party’s cadres and is seen as a strong contender against Gehlot.
Other key BJP leaders who are likely to contest the Rajasthan assembly polls include Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Bhupendra Yadav, and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
The BJP is facing a more uphill task in Chhattisgarh, where the Congress government is seen as more popular. The party is, however, hoping to benefit from the infighting within the Congress state unit.
The BJP is likely to field Raman Singh, the former chief minister of Chhattisgarh, as its chief ministerial candidate. Singh is a popular leader among the party’s cadres and is seen as a strong contender against Baghel.
Other key BJP leaders who are likely to contest the Chhattisgarh assembly elections include Brijmohan Agrawal, Dharamlal Kaushik, and Ajay Chandrakar.
Key issues Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections
The key issues in the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections are likely to be inflation, unemployment, and development. The BJP is likely to attack the Congress governments on these issues.
The Congress, on the other hand, is likely to highlight the achievements of its governments in the two states. The party is also likely to campaign on the plank of national security and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Outlook
The BJP is facing a tough challenge in both Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Congress is the incumbent party in both states and has a strong organization. However, the BJP is also a strong party and has the backing of the Modi government.
The outcome of the assembly polls in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh will have a significant bearing on the 2024 general elections. If the BJP is able to win back power in both states, it will be seen as a major boost for the party’s chances in the next general elections.
Analysis
The BJP’s decision to finalize candidates for the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections early on is seen as a sign of the party’s confidence. The BJP is also trying to send a message to its cadres that it is serious about winning back power in both states.
The BJP is likely to face a tough challenge from the Congress in both Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Congress is the incumbent party in both states and has a strong organization. However, the BJP is also a strong party and has the backing of the Modi government.
The outcome of the assembly elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh will depend on a number of factors, including the performance of the two governments in the two states, the national mood, and the candidates fielded by the two parties.
Conclusion
The BJP and the Congress are both gearing up for a high-stakes battle in the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly polls. The outcome of the assembly elections will have a significant bearing on the 2024 general elections.
