With the conclusion of the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, the nation eagerly awaits the results on Tuesday. For the Bharatiya Janata Party, the outcomes will not only determine the stature of both Central and state government ministers but also reveal the ground reality for many MLAs aspiring to become ministers.
Over the last six months, the BJP has inducted leaders from other parties, granting some of them positions and prestige in an attempt to sway voters. Feedback from BJP workers throughout the two-and-a-half-month campaign will provide insights into whether this strategy yielded positive results.
The results will also determine the political future of several high-profile candidates, including Union Heavy Industries Minister Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey (Chandauli), Union ministers Smriti Zubin Irani (Amethi) Sanjeev Kumar Balyan (Muzaffarnagar) and Anupriya Patel (Mirzapur). For veterans like Union minister Pankaj Chaudhary (Maharajganj) and Union minister of state Bhanu Pratap Verma, the election is a test of their enduring influence.
Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, involved in the Tikunia incident, faces a crucial test in this election, which will likely shape his future political career. State ministers, including Jitin Prasada (Pilibhit), Jaiveer Singh (Mainpuri), Dinesh Pratap Singh (Rae Bareli) and Anoop Pradhan Valmiki (Hathras) are also under scrutiny for their performance.
Reports of infighting and inaction from various MLAs have surfaced, particularly when candidates from their caste ran for opposition parties. In Fatehpur Sikri, BJP MLA Chaudhary Babulal fielded his son as an independent candidate, prompting a show-cause notice from the BJP. Similar disputes have plagued other seats, affecting campaign dynamics.
The BJP’s strategy of inducting leaders from other parties will also be evaluated. Leaders like former Kushinagar MP RPN Singh and former MLC Yashwant Singh were brought into the party fold with significant expectations. The success of these moves will be evident in the election outcomes.
Besides, the image of many ministers and MPs has been tarnished among the public. Despite winning two consecutive elections under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s banner, they remained disconnected from their constituents, focusing instead on personal wealth and political manoeuvering. Approximately 10 MPs, including two ministers, were flagged for ticket revocation, but the party opted to give them another chance, prioritising internal cohesion over public sentiment. This decision led to voter and worker apathy in several key seats, complicating the electoral battle.
The ruling party’s strategy of replacing some MPs with their family members also backfired. This move sparked resentment among party workers and voters, who questioned the party’s stance on dynasty politics. BJP supporters in these constituencies expressed frustration, with some contemplating abstention or voting for NOTA. Such discontent could result in closely contested races.
The effectiveness of the BJP’s ‘Panna Pramukh’ experiment, initiated in the 2014 elections to enhance voter engagement, will also be tested. With voter turnout reportedly low this year, the results will reveal the strategy’s impact on mobilising support.
