Following the grand success in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the Gujarat BJP think tank is seriously mulling to drop aging MlAs and give ticket to younger candidates in the upcoming State elections later this year.
Not only age criteria but performance of the existing MlAs would be counted during the selection process of candidates for the 182 Assembly constituencies, said a senior leader in the saffron party. According to him, in order to achieve the target of 150 seats given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, priority for the selection of the candidate would be clean image.
If sources are to be believed, axe is looming on some of the big names too to bypass anti-incumbency factor. Sources in the Gujarat BJP organisation said that constituencies of some senior MlAs including that of Ministers would be changed due to multiple reasons. In fact couple of senior Ministers have already, voluntarily, told the party organisation to change their constituencies.
Apart from delimitation process, ongoing pro-quota agitation of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PASS) led by Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakor’s agitation over implementation of prohibition law as well as increasing unemployment in the State would lead to introduction of new candidates. At least in five constituencies BJP workers are against existing MlAs. The top leadership in the saffron party would take this factor in consideration while allotting tickets for the upcoming assembly polls.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is expected to contest from his existing Rajkot West constituency. Former CM Anandiben Patel will not contest the 2017 Assembly polls due to her age. Chances are bright for her daughter, Anar, (political heir apparent) to contest from Patel’s constituency Ghatlodiya in Ahmedabad. Some of the aging MlAs including former Minister Narottam Patel of Surat and Naran Patel from Unjha may be replaced by fresh flood on the ground of their age.