As the date for voting on 10 Rajya Sabha seats was announced on Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for a significant overhaul in its representation in the upper house. With the tenure of nine of its Rajya Sabha members coming to an end on April 2, the BJP strategises to secure seven out of the 10 seats, ushering in a wave of new faces. The voting will be held on February 27.
According to senior party sources, the selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections will be meticulously crafted to align with the social engineering dynamics pivotal in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
“Out of the current Rajya Sabha members whose tenure is expiring, only two are likely to be retained, while the rest will be replaced to accommodate new faces,” a senior BJP leader told The Pioneer.
Among the potential candidates speculated for renomination are Sudhanshu Trivedi and Anil Jain. However, the party is poised to drop several incumbents, considering factors such as their resonance within the social equation and their impact in society. Names like GVL Narasimha Rao and Dr Anil Aggarwal may face exclusion, paving the way for new entrants.
In an effort to maintain caste equilibrium, the BJP plans to field candidates representing diverse backgrounds, including Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas as well as individuals from backward and Dalit communities. The party’s strategy hinges on balancing caste equations to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.
“The BJP is likely to prioritise leaders associated with the party organisation for Rajya Sabha nominations. With a pool of potential candidates from both the state and national organisations, the party aims to consolidate its internal leadership while infusing fresh talent into the legislative body,” the BJP leader said.
The selection process for Rajya Sabha candidates is expected to culminate in the first week of February, with the BJP core committee convening to finalise nominations. The committee will scrutinise candidates based on caste dynamics, track record, and potential political messaging, ensuring that the chosen representatives resonate with the electorate.
A party source said: “For the BJP, the composition of its Rajya Sabha nominees holds strategic significance, aiming to garner support from key demographic segments ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With a focus on constituencies dominated by Brahmins, Jats, and OBCs, the party aims to consolidate its voter base while adapting to the evolving political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.”