BJP faces internal dissent in Gujarat over ticket rules ahead of local body polls

Internal dissent has surfaced within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the local body elections in Gujarat, with concerns being raised over the party’s candidate selection criteria.

The BJP has introduced new norms for the upcoming elections, deciding not to field candidates who are above 60 years of age, have contested more than three terms, or are linked to family-based politics.

However, the move has triggered discontent among party workers and senior leaders, who feel that experienced grassroots leaders are being sidelined.

The issue came to the fore after Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava openly questioned the party’s approach, warning that the BJP’s own rules could end up hurting its prospects in the elections. He stated that while opposition parties may not pose a major challenge, internal decisions could weaken the party’s position on the ground.

Vasava argued that leaders who have won multiple terms often hold strong influence in their constituencies, and excluding them could impact electoral performance. He also pointed out that such strict criteria are not applied in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, raising questions over their implementation in local body polls.

Party insiders suggest that while BJP is known for its discipline, there is growing unease among workers, with dissatisfaction being expressed privately. Concerns have also been raised about instances where local leaders are overlooked in favour of candidates brought in from outside, which could lead to resentment at the grassroots level.