Bharatiya Janata Party discloses eighth list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls

In a significant move as the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) disclosed its eighth list of candidates on Saturday, March 30, spotlighting selections for key constituencies in Punjab, Odisha, and West Bengal. The list is particularly notable for its mix of seasoned politicians and newcomers from various backgrounds, including a former diplomat and a Bollywood actor, marking the party’s strategy for the impending electoral battle.

In Punjab, the BJP has made a bold move by nominating Preneet Kaur, the wife of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, for the Patiala seat. Kaur, who switched allegiances from the Congress following her suspension over alleged ‘anti-party’ activities, won this seat in the 2019 general elections as a Congress candidate. Her transition to the BJP was formalized earlier this month in a ceremony attended by Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar, among others, signaling a significant political realignment in the state.

The party has also decided to replace Bollywood actor Sunny Deol with Dinesh Singh “Babbu” for the Gurdaspur seat, a move that has stirred considerable discussion. Babbu, a three-time MLA, is expected to bring local legislative experience to his campaign, addressing the opposition’s critiques of Deol’s absence from the constituency.

For the Faridkot constituency, the BJP has nominated singer and current MP from North West Delhi, Hans Raj Hans, setting up a contest against AAP candidate Karamjit Anmol. This selection reflects the BJP’s strategy to leverage the popularity of cultural figures in electoral politics.

A notable addition to the BJP’s roster is Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former Indian Ambassador to the United States, who has been fielded from Amritsar. Sandhu’s diplomatic background and familial ties to Sikh political history add a layer of intrigue to the party’s nominations, especially considering the BJP’s previous losses in the constituency in both 2014 and 2019.

In Odisha, the party has chosen Rabindra Narayan Behera for the Jajpur seat, along with Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi and Bhartruhari Mahtab for Kandhamal and Cuttack, respectively. West Bengal sees the nomination of former IPS officer Debashish Dhar from Birbhum and Pranat Tudu from Jhargram, highlighting the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its position in the state.

The BJP’s candidate selection for the Lok Sabha elections reflects a strategic mix of political veterans, defectors from other parties, and personalities from outside traditional political spheres. This approach not only aims to consolidate the party’s base in its strongholds but also to make inroads in regions where it has faced challenges. The inclusion of figures like Preneet Kaur and Taranjit Singh Sandhu underscores the party’s efforts to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, leveraging both political legacy and professional achievement. As the election campaign intensifies, the effectiveness of this strategy in swaying voters will be a key area of interest.