BJP and Congress Both Gear Up for Lok Sabha Polls, But Congress Struggles to Find Willing Candidates
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress gear up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a stark contrast emerges in their preparations. While the BJP is set to announce candidates by the end of the month, with plans to field many Rajya Sabha MPs, the Congress faces challenges in finding willing leaders for the crucial polls.
Despite the Congress unveiling new names and in-charges for states to rejuvenate the party, there seems to be reluctance among senior leaders to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress hopes that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, featuring Rahul Gandhi in areas where the party is weak, will boost morale.
The Congress’ plan includes encouraging seniors with a good base and high profiles to contest Lok Sabha seats. However, leaders like former chief ministers Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo, and Ashok Gehlot reportedly show little interest in taking the plunge.
Finding suitable candidates is a challenge in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. While the Congress claims stakes on around 10 seats in UP, it may struggle to find candidates beyond specific constituencies. In Odisha, where the party’s organization is in disarray, identifying winnable candidates becomes a formidable task.
The situation presents an embarrassment for the Grand Old Party, highlighting its struggle to appear battle-ready for the upcoming elections.
