NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released its eighth list of Lok Sabha candidates, featuring a blend of seasoned politicians and fresh faces. The announcement, spanning Odisha, Punjab, and West Bengal, underscores the party’s strategic approach and inclusivity.
The party senior leadership this time has dropped the ticket to actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, the sitting Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Dinesh Singh ‘Babbu’ steps into this pivotal role, marking a strategic shift for the party in the region.
Similarly, Delhi’s incumbent MP, Hans Raj Hans, is replaced to contest from Punjab’s Faridkot constituency, indicating a recalibration of electoral strategies.
The BJP’s confidence extended to leaders formerly associated with rival political parties. Bhartruhari Mahtab, who recently defected from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has been nominated to contest from Cuttack, Odisha, showcasing the party’s outreach beyond traditional alliances. Likewise, the nominations of rebel Congress stalwarts, Preneet Kaur and Ravneet Singh Bittu, for Patiala and Ludhiana constituencies in Punjab, respectively, underscore a strategic move to consolidate support bases.
The party’s selection process also acknowledged the contributions of newcomers. Sushil Kumar Rinku, a former AAP leader who joined the BJP, secures a renomination from Jalandhar, Punjab, reflecting the party’s embrace of grassroots leaders with proven track records.
In Odisha, Rabindra Narayan Behera and Sukant Kumar Panigrahi emerge as candidates for the Jajpur and Kandhamal constituencies, respectively, signalling the BJP’s intent to strengthen its presence in the region.
However, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a former diplomat and India’s Ambassador to the US receives the party’s nod to contest from Amritsar, Punjab, showcasing the party’s affinity for candidates with diverse backgrounds.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the BJP continues its expansion efforts with Pranat Tudu and Debashish Dhar securing nominations from Jhargram and Birbhum constituencies.
