The UP BJP’s decision not to field those who have recently lost elections has led to turmoil within the party.
A sizeable section in the party feels that this decision would deprive several veterans from contesting the elections.
“Some of us lost elections due to unforeseen factors and it is unfair to prevent us from contesting polls again,” said one such candidate. According to party sources, there are more than two dozen candidates who have lost the assembly elections but are keen to contest the Lok Sabha polls.
For instance, Krishna Raj, who ranked fourth in the Assembly polls, is all set to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Shahjahanpur.
Sakshi Maharaj, who also lost the Assembly polls, is ready to contest the Ferozabad Lok Sabha seat.
Bhanu Pratap and Kiran Bala both lost the Assembly polls in their constituencies in Sitapur district but both are laying their claim on Dhaurhara and Misrikh Lok Sabha seats this time.
The BJP, which is working out a strategy to win maximum seats from UP so that it can inch closer to power at the Centre, has reservations about giving tickets to losers.
“We cannot take chances this time because this election is crucial for us and each seat matters. If a candidate could not win his assembly seat, how can he or she be expected to win the Lok Sabha seat and, that too, within a gap of one year?” said a senior party functionary.
Interestingly, the UP BJP is keen not to allow sitting MLAs to contest the Lok Sabha polls.
Party sources said that there are about two dozen legislators who are clamouring for a Lok Sabha ticket.
“Allowing MLAs to contest Lok Sabha elections will weaken the party’s position in the state Assembly and we are also working towards the 2017 Assembly polls. We will allow legislators to contest Lok Sabha polls only in special cases,” the party functionary said.
Sources said that this decision would prove a setback to senior party leaders like Kalraj Misra and Satish Mahana.