BJP has intensified preparations for the organization and selection of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2027. There is a continuous churning going on within the party regarding ticket distribution. It is believed that this time, special importance can be given to winnability while deciding the candidates. There is talk of reconsidering the tickets of about 40 to 50 percent faces among the current MLAs of the party.
Tezzbuzz Desk- A recent internal survey conducted by BJP has revealed signs of resentment at the local level against many sitting MLAs. According to reports, the party does not want to assess the candidates only on the basis of their performance in the last election, but their acceptability among the public, coordination with the organization and ability to win in the upcoming elections can also be taken into account.
It is being told that instead of taking the decision on the ticket on the basis of choice or recommendation of any one leader, it can be done keeping in mind the feedback received from many levels. This may include aspects like internal survey of the party, ground reports, opinion of local workers and the status of the MLA among the public.
The reasons due to which questions have been raised about some MLAs in the internal survey are said to include complaints like lack of activism in the area, distance from the public and lack of communication with the workers of the organization. In such a situation, the opinion of booth level workers is also considered important for the party.
In electoral politics, the booth worker is an important link between the party and the voters. Therefore, the party organization can see the displeasure of workers towards the MLA in an assembly constituency as important feedback for election preparations.
BJP had also reviewed its performance after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There was discussion within the party regarding the candidates and it had emerged that the decision to repeat the sitting MPs on some seats could not give the expected results. Now the party seems to be more cautious than before in candidate selection for the 2027 assembly elections.
This is the reason why the sitting MLA winning the last election or being associated with the party for a long time cannot in itself be considered a guarantee of a ticket. In candidate selection, it can be seen how effective the concerned face can prove to be for the party in the next elections.
This time an important question of ticket distribution for BJP will be that if any sitting MLA is not given a second chance, then which candidate should be fielded in his place. That means the focus cannot be only on cutting tickets, but instead on finding a face who is acceptable in the area.
This strategy of the party is not likely to be limited to only BJP candidates. There is talk of giving importance to aspects like electoral acceptability and winnability in decisions regarding seats and candidates along with its allies in Uttar Pradesh.
In such a situation, it may be important for many sitting MLAs to strengthen their position among the organization and the public in the coming times. The challenge before the party is to know what is the mood of the public in the area, how the workers view the performance of the MLA, how is the coordination of the MLA with the organization and whether he can prove to be an effective candidate for the party in the upcoming elections.
If BJP's current strategy moves in this direction, then we may see changes in many existing faces in ticket distribution before the 2027 assembly elections. However, the final decision will be clear only after the party leadership completes the process of candidate selection.
Overall, BJP seems to be re-reviewing the organization, candidates and ground equations for the 2027 assembly elections keeping in mind the experiences of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Based on the internal survey and feedback received from different levels, the picture regarding ticket distribution may become clearer in the coming months.