In a strategic move at Rajasthan's political landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have decided to put their party's Members of Parliament to the test in the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections. This decision comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to strengthen its position in the state.
The BJP's high command is gearing up to assess the mettle of approximately ten MPs, including Union Ministers, in an effort to revamp their presence in the state's assembly. However, the MPs who clinched their parliamentary seats during the Modi wave but did not actively campaign in the assembly elections are showing reluctance and apprehension about the challenge ahead.
Sources within the party reveal that some MPs are open to working within the party organization if they miss out on a Lok Sabha ticket, but they are hesitant about vying for an Assembly seat. This reluctance has led to delays in the announcement of candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly elections, leaving party leaders frustrated.
Central leaders responsible for party organization and election management have been closely monitoring the mood of these MPs for some time now. Their hesitance has, in turn, hindered the BJP's state core group and election committee from presenting a panel of viable candidates. This delay has reportedly irked Amit Shah, who is eager to solidify the party's position in the state.
With the Election Commission announcing the polling dates, the urgency to finalize the list of candidates for assembly segments has intensified. In an effort to secure a comfortable majority, the BJP high command has decided to leave no room for choice for MPs who rode the Modi wave to secure their Lok Sabha seats. Approximately ten MPs have been identified for this challenging mission, which involves contesting tough seats for the party.
One of the most notable names in this endeavor is Union Cabinet Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who holds the coveted Jal Shakti ministry portfolio. He is reportedly being considered to take on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Gehlot's home constituency of Sardarpura in Jodhpur. Additionally, Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Chaudhary are also expected to feature on the list of assembly candidates.
As the political landscape in Rajasthan heats up with the impending Assembly elections, all eyes are on these BJP MPs who are set to face a litmus test that could potentially reshape the state's political landscape. The BJP high command remains determined to secure a significant victory in Rajasthan, and these moves demonstrate their commitment to achieving that goal.
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