The BJP unveiled its lineup of 195 candidates for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Saturday. Chhattisgarh’s entire spectrum of 11 seats has been addressed in the initial declaration. Among the 11 contenders finalised by the BJP for Chhattisgarh, two incumbent MPs have been renominated. It is noteworthy that the BJP has denied Lok Sabha tickets to 7 out of its 9 current MPs.

Saroj Pandey, the National Vice President of BJP, has been granted a ticket from Korba, while minister in the Chhattisgarh government, Brijmohan Agrawal, gears up for the electoral battle from Raipur in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. It’s noteworthy that out of the 11 seats, the BJP has allocated tickets to three women candidates. This unveiling of BJP candidates for Lok Sabha elections hints at a strategic shift of the BJP from heavyweights towards the new generation of leaders in the state, as the Central leadership seems to be fostering the emergence of new leadership under its guidance.

The inclusion of Chintamani Maharaj, a former Congress MLA in the Bhupesh Baghel government, marks a significant transition. Chintamani joined BJP after Congress denied him a ticket in the state assembly elections, with BJP leaders committing him a Lok Sabha ticket at that time. Chintamani Maharaj, whose name had surfaced in certain investigations, has been nominated by BJP from the Sarajuga constituency, demonstrating the party’s commitment to its promise.

Despite the Congress government’s incumbency in the state, the BJP clinched victory in 9 out of 11 seats during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The current allocation of seats reflects BJP’s intent to assert its presence more vigorously, especially in regions like Bastar and Korba, traditionally held by Congress. The party has introduced nine fresh faces for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, amplifying its electoral footprint.

The allocation of tickets also underscores strategic calculations, with emphasis placed on maintaining caste equations and ensuring a balance within the party ranks. This includes Brijmohan Agrawal, who boasts a strong caste backing and has secured resounding victories in the past.

In the broader context, the nomination process reflects BJP’s concerted effort to steer clear of allegations of dynastic politics. Notably, prominent figures like Madhusudan Yadav and Abhishek Singh, son of former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, have been sidelined in favour of newer candidates. Dinesh Kashyap, former MP from Bastar, son of BJP’s prominent tribal leader late Baliram Kashyap and brother of the present minister in Chhattisgarh’s BJP government, Kedar Kashyap, has been denied Lok Sabha ticket by the party. This strategic shift underscores BJP’s dedication to fostering a political environment based on competence and individual merit rather than familial lineage.

The diverse backgrounds of the nominated candidates reflect BJP’s inclusive approach, embracing individuals from various socio-economic strata. Moreover, the party’s strategic manoeuvering in key constituencies, including Raigarh and Raipur, underscores its intent to consolidate its foothold across the state.

Chhattisgarh PCC Chief Deepak Baij wasted no time in commenting on the BJP’s candidate list. He stated that denying tickets to 7 out of 9 current MPs in Chhattisgarh clearly indicates the peak of public anger against the Modi government. Baij emphasised that the BJP’s decision to field the state’s most frequently victorious BJP legislator and Education Minister, Brijmohan Agrawal, as a candidate from the Raipur Lok Sabha seat, is an attempt by the BJP leadership to scapegoat him, effectively sidelining him from the state politics.

As the political landscape heats up in Chhattisgarh with BJP’s candidate announcements, all eyes are now on the forthcoming declarations from the main opposition party, Congress. The unfolding dynamics promise an intriguing electoral battle, with BJP’s preemptive move setting the stage for an engaging political showdown in the days ahead.