The Septa: Why BJP fields new faces on nine Lok Sabha seats in UP? 7 points

The Septa: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its fifth roster of 111 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. This announcement encompasses the nomination of 13 contenders from Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the party has opted to revoke the candidacy of Varun Gandhi, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Pilibhit. Instead, Jitin Prasad, formerly associated with the Congress party, has been nominated to contest from this constituency. Furthermore, the ticket of Maneka Gandhi has been reaffirmed for Sultanpur. Here are the possible reasons for the change: 

1. Strategic revamp

In a significant move, the BJP has introduced new faces for nine out of 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. This overhaul reflects a strategic revamp aimed at rejuvenating the party's electoral prospects in the state.

2. Shift from previous patterns

Unlike the previous list where only four names were altered out of 51 candidates, this recent announcement signals a departure from established patterns, indicating a deliberate recalibration of the party's candidate roster.

3. Key ousted figures

Notable leaders like VK Singh, Satyadev Pachauri, Varun Gandhi, and Sanghamitra Maurya have faced ticket cancellations, highlighting the significance of this change. Their exclusion suggests a shift in the party's leadership dynamics and candidate selection criteria.

4. Entry of Jitin Prasad

Minister Jitin Prasad's nomination for the Lok Sabha elections, replacing Varun Gandhi from Pilibhit, underscores the party's strategic realignment. This move reflects a calculated decision to infuse fresh leadership and perspective into key electoral battlegrounds.

5. Continued trust in Maneka Gandhi

Despite Varun Gandhi's ticket cancellation, his mother, Maneka Gandhi, retains her candidacy from Sultanpur. This reaffirms the party's confidence in her leadership and underscores her continued relevance in UP politics.

6. Caste equation in focus

Special attention has been paid to the caste equation in Hathras, Bareilly, Bahraich, and Barabanki. The introduction of new faces from the same caste underscores the party's commitment to maintaining caste-based support while also introducing fresh leadership.

7. Strategic withdrawals and surprising nominations

The voluntary withdrawals of VK Singh and Satyadev Pachauri, followed by strategic replacements, suggest a concerted effort to mitigate potential reputational damage. Additionally, the surprising nomination of Arun Govil in Meerut reflects the party's innovative approach to candidate selection, leveraging the candidate's public image for electoral gains.