BJP Names 111 Lok Sabha Candidates, Drops Ministers and Varun Gandhi, Fields Actors

New Delhi, March 24 - In a significant reshuffle ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced 111 additional candidates, making notable exclusions and introductions to its lineup. Among those dropped are Union ministers Ashwini Kumar Choubey and V K Singh, alongside MP Varun Gandhi. In a move that has caught the attention of many, actors Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil have been chosen to contest from Mandi and Meerut, respectively.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is set to contest from Sambalpur, while BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra will aim for victory in Puri, a seat he narrowly missed in 2019. The party has also decided not to field Anantkumar Hegde, a six-term Lok Sabha member known for his hardline Hindutva stance and controversial remarks.

The BJP's latest list reveals the party's decision to deny tickets to nearly 37 sitting MPs across various states, including nine from Uttar Pradesh, five from Gujarat, and four from Odisha. This list does not account for MPs who have recently won assembly elections or have taken up other significant political roles.

In an interesting turn of events, several individuals who have recently joined the BJP from other parties have been awarded tickets. This includes industrialist Naveen Jindal and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Kerala BJP President K Surendra is set to contest against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, highlighting the party's strategic placements.

The BJP has also focused on West Bengal by nominating Rekha Patra from Basirhat, aiming to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state. Other notable nominations include Union Minister Giriraj Singh from Begusarai and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib in Bihar.

Varun Gandhi's exclusion from Pilibhit has paved the way for Jitin Prasada, while Atul Garg will replace V K Singh in Ghaziabad. The party's decision-making reflects a blend of strategic withdrawals and fresh inductions aimed at strengthening its position across various constituencies.

With these announcements, the BJP has now named 398 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, excluding four individuals whose nominations were withdrawn following controversies. The inclusion of celebrities like Ranaut and Govil alongside seasoned politicians underscores the party's diverse approach to this electoral battle.

The reshuffle also sees former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar returning to contest from Belgaum after a brief stint with the Congress. The party's strategy extends to West Bengal with 19 more candidates named, including former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay from Tamluk.

In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP has solidified its alliance with the TDP and Jana Sena by naming candidates for all six Lok Sabha seats it is contesting in the state. This includes D Purandeswari from Rajahmundry and N Kiran Kumar Reddy from Rajampet.

This extensive list of candidates reflects the BJP's comprehensive strategy as it gears up for the Lok Sabha elections. With a mix of new faces and political veterans, the party aims to consolidate its presence across India while making significant changes to its candidate lineup.