Gujarat elections: BJP's Plan to drop 30% MLAs runs into rough weather
The BJP's experiment in Gujarat to replace at least one third of its MLAs with new faces has run into rough weather. The party has been implementing its strategy to put up new faces, at least in 30-40% new faces in Assembly elections and it paid rich dividends. But it is facing a huge problem in Himachal where 11 rebels are in the fray who were denied the ticket and refused to withdraw.
Three internal surveys conducted by the BJP recommended that at least one third of sitting MLAs be replaced in Gujarat. The party sacked all ministers along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani last year. It brought in Bhupendra Patel as new CM who belongs to the Patidar community which did not vote for the party in large numbers. The state BJP Chief C R Paatil is pitching to field at least 30 new faces where the margin of victory in 2017 Assembly polls was less than 5000 votes.
A senior party functionary said that the rebels may spoil the show as the AAP may provide a new platform to them. Many of the BJP rebels do not want to join the Congress and may prefer AAP. The BJP is wary of Arvind Kejriwal who has caught the imagination in pockets due to his freebies and success of “Delhi model.” Kejriwal's demand to print images of Hindu Gods - Lakshmi and Ganesh - on currency notes is part of one up manship.
The BJP touched its lowest tally of 99 seats in 2017 with polling 49% votes. Therefore, it doesn't want AAP to gain a foothold in Gujarat and is reconsidering its plan to replace one-third MLAs. The Morbi bridge collapse has added to the BJP's difficulties.
