BJP Rejects Tickets, 33 Sitting MPs, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pragya Thakur were dropped from first list

GG News Bureau

New Delhi,  3^rd March. In the first list of LS Polls, the BJP denied tickets to thirty-three sitting MPs, including Ramesh Bidhuri and the disputed Pragya Thakur.

For the impending Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its initial list of 195 candidates. Following a meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) presided over by Prime Minister Modi, a decision was made.

There are 34 Union ministers and two former chief ministers on the list, which was released for seats in 14 states and 4 union territories. There are 47 young candidates and 28 female candidates on the list. The party has fielded 57 candidates from other backward classes (OBC), 18 candidates from scheduled tribes, and 27 candidates from scheduled castes. 33 current Members of Parliament, however, are not on the list.

Based on their performance, some seasoned leaders were renominated, but others—including Pragya Singh Thakur, the sitting MP from Bhopal—were replaced. Alok Sharma, a former Bhopal mayor, was handed Thakur’s ticket. The firebrand leader, who was charged in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, is well-known for voicing strong opinions that frequently go against the party line.

This time, she was allegedly fired for making offensive comments, including referring to Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Mahatma Gandhi, as a “patriot.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi found the remark offensive and called it “very bad and very wrong for society.” “She has sought an apology, but I would never be able to forgive her fully,” the prime minister had declared.

Additionally absent was two-term MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma of West Delhi, who is the son of former chief minister Sahib Singh Verma. The 46-year-old Verma is well-liked despite his reputation for making controversial remarks. His remarks regarding the Shaheen Bagh protest caused controversy prior to the 2020 Delhi elections. He made headlines once more in 2022 when he advocated for a “boycott” of Muslims, which infuriated many.

Ramesh Bidhuri, the MP for South Delhi, might have also been dismissed because of his divisive remarks. His anti-Islamic remarks directed at Amroha MP Danish Ali during a Lok Sabha meeting last year caused a significant controversy. After his comments were captured on camera and went viral, he later apologized.

Only Manoj Tiwari will continue to hold his seat in northeastern Delhi after the BJP announced candidates for five of the seven available seats. In Chandni Chowk, Bansuri Swaraj will take over for Meenakshi Lekhi, and in New Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj will replace Harsh Vardhan. Ramesh Bidhuri was likewise unable to hold onto his seat. The party has not yet revealed the candidates for the seats in East Delhi and North West (SC) Delhi.

Shivmangal Singh Tomar, the current MLA from Dimani, defeated former Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for the nomination in the Morena seat. In West Bengal, Ghanshyam Lodhi from Rampur defeated former actress Jaya Prada, and the BJP fielded Asansol resident Pawan Singh against TMC candidate Shatrughan Sinha.