NEW DELHI: Over one-third of the sitting BJP MLAs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan may not get a ticket for the Assembly elections later this year, as the party tries to combat anti-incumbency big time.
Similar spring cleaning will happen in Chhattisgarh as well but on a lesser scale, party sources indicated. “State units in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are identifying weak MLAs.
More than one-third of them may not be repeated as the party is looking for young, winnable faces who have worked hard to expand the organisational base in recent years,” sources said.
In Gujarat, the BJP had dropped a large number of sitting legislators in the last Assembly elections.
The Central leadership of the party already has robust assessments of the situation on the ground from MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
“BJP chief Amit Shah had sought reports from each polling booth in the three states. The compiled report would act as a barometer on the performance of each legislator. There are adverse reports against a number of MLAs,” sources added.
Anti-incumbency is a major source of worry, as the BJP has been in power in Madhya Pradesh for three consecutive terms, while Rajasthan has traditionally chucked the ruling party in successive polls.
“In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has a strong network, which provides a steady supply of leadership. Besides, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is strong on the ground. The RSS also favours fresh faces in the elections,” said a senior BJP functionary.