Significant shifts are anticipated in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key ally in the ruling NDA, prepares to potentially replace around 30% of its candidates. This decision reflects an effort to reassess its electoral strategy, incorporating factors such as local surveys, ground feedback, age of incumbents, and anti-incumbency sentiments. Central Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to commence his Bihar tour on September 18, adding to the political dynamics.
The BJP’s strategy involves a substantial alteration in its candidate lineup. Sources suggest that approximately 15-20 sitting MLAs might see their tickets withdrawn. Furthermore, 13 candidates who faced defeat in the 2020 elections may not be renominated. This could lead to a considerable infusion of new faces, potentially constituting 30-35% of the candidates compared to the previous election. The party’s aim is to mitigate anti-incumbency by fielding fresh, clean-image, and youthful candidates.
Factors influencing the ticket distribution include age, with six current BJP MLAs being over 70 years old. Close contests in the 2020 elections, where the victory margin was less than 3,000 votes in six constituencies and below 2,000 votes in eight, are also under review. The party is meticulously analyzing each constituency, considering multiple potential candidates, and evaluating past performance, feedback from district presidents, and survey reports. The ultimate goal is to select candidates with the highest potential for victory.