BJP might also deploy prominent leaders in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana assembly elections.

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to field senior leaders, including three Union ministers, in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls. This move is not limited to Madhya Pradesh, as the party is considering following the same strategy in other poll-bound states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. The aim is to improve the party’s chances of winning seats where it has struggled in the past.

In Rajasthan, however, the BJP is facing a peculiar contest as it seeks a mandate without projecting a chief ministerial candidate. Speculations are rife about prominent faces contesting the state polls, including Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Junior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari, and Jaipur (Rural) MP Rajyavardhan Rathore.

Shekhawat, one of the frontrunners for the CM’s post, faces challenges due to reports of infighting among state leaders. The BJP top brass has decided not to project any chief ministerial candidate and has left the decision to the elected MLAs. Former CM Vasundhara Raje is reportedly unhappy and actively campaigning to be projected as the party face. Shekhawat will have to navigate this infighting along with resistance from CM Ashok Gehlot.

In Telangana, four MPs, including Union Minister and state chief G K Reddy, are likely to be in the fray. The deployment of central leaders in Madhya Pradesh has surprised many, as it is seen as a precursor to similar experiments in other states.

In Madhya Pradesh, two Union ministers, Narendra Singh Tomar and Faggan Singh Kulaste, will contest from seats won by the Congress in 2018. Three of the other Lok Sabha MPs will fight in seats where the Congress emerged victorious in the last polls.

Party sources have denied reports of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan not contesting the polls.

Summary:
★BJP is fielding senior leaders, including Union ministers, in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.
★The party plans to follow this strategy in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
★Rajasthan is facing a peculiar contest as the BJP does not project a chief ministerial candidate.
★Speculated prominent faces in Rajasthan include Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Diya Kumari, and Rajyavardhan Rathore.
★Shekhawat faces challenges due to infighting and resistance from CM Ashok Gehlot.
★Telangana will see four MPs, including Union Minister G K Reddy, in the fray.
★The deployment of central leaders in Madhya Pradesh is seen as a precursor to similar experiments in other states.
★Two Union ministers will contest from seats won by the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.
★Party sources deny reports of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan not contesting the polls.