The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh might field few Lok Sabha members in the State Assembly elections, scheduled next month.
Besides those MPs seeking party ticket for the assembly polls, there are constituencies, where the BJP fees to field party MPs as it is facing shortage of good winnable candidates.
Party sources said that the kind of situation party is facing in the state, every leader is worried about his future. So they want to retain at least Assembly seat as they are not sure if they will be able to win the next Lok Sabha elections or whether they would be able to get the ticket.
There is the possibility of ticket not given to such BJP leaders who have even iota of chance of losing elections. The BJP in principle has decided to deny tickets to 30-40 per cent of its MPs and MLAs. In another situation, the party wants to ensure winability of its candidates in the Assembly elections and if a big leader like an MP is contesting Assembly elections from any part of the state, the influential leader may also impact the neighbouring seats from where he or she is contesting.
BJP sources claimed that the saffron party may field Damoh MP Prahlad Singh Patel who would influence several other seats, if he is contests Assembly elections. Similarly Janardan Mishra of Rewa might be pitted as Assembly candidate.
On the other hand, Bhopal MP Alok Sanjar is demanding Assembly ticket and there are many others who too are demanding Assembly tickets. Sources said that if the BJP wins Madhya Pradesh elections MLAs may also demand Lok Sabha tickets once again. However, factually, there has been trend in the past that in the Lok Sabha elections, few MLAs are fielded and in the Assembly elections, Lok Sabha members are given tickets.