BJP Unveils Initial Candidate Lists for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly Polls

New Delhi, August 17, 2023: In a surprising move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its first lists of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. This unprecedented announcement comes even before the Election Commission of India announces the official poll dates.

For the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly, the party has revealed the names of 21 candidates, while 39 candidates have been named for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh House.

This strategic early release of candidates’ names seems to be an attempt by the BJP to address internal conflicts and potential issues within the party ahead of the elections. After facing setbacks in recent elections, the party is taking measures to ensure unity and minimize friction within its ranks.

The decision to announce candidates’ names well in advance follows a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the BJP’s central election committee, which plays a pivotal role in candidate selection and formulating election strategies.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram are the five states scheduled for polls later this year. Among them, the BJP holds power in Rajasthan, while the other states are governed by Opposition parties. The party is gearing up to face tough competition, especially in Madhya Pradesh, where the contest with the Congress is expected to be close.

Surprisingly, the initial candidate lists do not include prominent figures such as Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and former Chief Minister Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh.

In both lists, the BJP has made an effort to include candidates from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories.