18 MPs, including 4 Union ministers: BJP's star-studded lineup for state showdowns

The BJP has nominated 18 of its Members of Parliament, including four Union ministers, for the upcoming assembly elections. These MPs are contesting in seven constituencies each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and four in Chhattisgarh. The majority of these MPs, who are mainly Lok Sabha members, have been fielded in assembly seats where the BJP faced defeat in the last elections.

The BJP recently released updated candidate lists for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will be running in his traditional Budhni constituency. The BJP has announced candidates for 136 seats out of the 230 in the Madhya Pradesh assembly.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and State BJP President Arun Sao are among the candidates in the party's latest list for Chhattisgarh, bringing the total number of named candidates to 85 out of 90 assembly seats.


Three MPs, including Union Minister Renuka Singh, are also featured in the second list of 64 candidates for Chhattisgarh. The BJP's decision to field these experienced leaders in the assembly polls demonstrates its determination to put forward strong candidates, even in challenging constituencies.

The move is seen as an effort to minimise internal factionalism, as these leaders tend to have broader acceptance within the party. Additionally, it places greater responsibility on regional leaders to deliver a strong performance in their constituencies and nearby areas.

Notable candidates include Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari and Jaipur Rural MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who are running for the BJP in Rajasthan. Diya Kumari is contesting from Jaipur's Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency, while Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a former Union Minister and retired Army officer, is running from Jhotwara, also in Jaipur district. The remaining 40 constituencies where BJP candidates were announced are currently held by the ruling Congress and other parties.

Overall, the BJP is gearing up for competitive battles in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, with the Congress being its primary rival. These elections are significant for the political landscape in these states, where the BJP is currently in power in Madhya Pradesh, while the Congress holds power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Inputs from PTI