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In its second list of 72 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP made significant changes, swapping out 25 sitting MPs for new contenders, particularly notable in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s home state.
Among the replacements, Gautam Gambhir, Hans Raj Hans, and Dipsinh Magansinh Rathod were replaced by fresh faces, marking a shift in strategy for the ruling party.
In Delhi, Harsh Malhotra was nominated for the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, replacing Gautam Gambhir, while Yogendra Chandolia took over the North West Delhi constituency, formerly held by Hans Raj Hans.
Gujarat witnessed several changes, with Bhikhaji Dudhaji Thakore replacing Dipsinh Magansinh Rathod in Sabarkantha and Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathwa stepping in for Gitaben Vajesingbhai Rathva in Chhota Udaipur.
The party also introduced Mukeshbhai Chandrakant Dalal in Surat, replacing three-term MP and Union minister Darshana Vikram Jardosh.
In Haryana, Ashok Tanwar, a former Congress leader, replaced sitting MP Sunita Duggal in the Sirsa seat, while former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar took over from Sanjay Bhatia in Karnal.
Former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was replaced by former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in Haridwar.
The BJP also named five new candidates in Karnataka, including Basavaraj Kyavator for Koppal and B Sriramulu for Bellary, among others.
In Maharashtra, Smita Wagh replaced Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil in Jalgaon, while Union minister Piyush Goyal took over from Gopal Chinayya Shetty in Mumbai North.
Significant changes were also made in Telangana, with Godam Nagesh replacing sitting MP Soyam Babu Rao in Adilabad.
Overall, these changes reflect the BJP’s strategic overhaul as it gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing a blend of experience and fresh energy to secure electoral success.
