In the first list of candidates declared by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Lok Sabha Election 2024, the names of 15 candidates from Gujarat were also declared. In those names, the number of MPs that were chosen on repeat surprised many.

It is believed that given the current political situation, the high command has put the no-repeat theory aside for now. 12 MPs have been fielded again while only five MPs have been sidelined.

Two new faces, including a woman, have been given a chance. However, four union ministers namely Amit Shah, Devusinh Chauhan, Purshottam Rupala, and Mansukh Mandaviya have been fielded.

Until now, many believed that all the MPs except five to six current MPs would not be fielded, but looking at the way the candidates have been selected, it seems that there haven’t been many changes made by the BJP.

Union home minister Amit Shah will contest from the Gandhinagar seat. He is contesting from the same seat for the second time.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya will contest from the Porbandar seat. MP Ramesh Dhaduk was omitted from this seat.

Apart from this, Mohan Kundariya has been omitted in Rajkot and union minister Purshottam Rupala has been fielded in his place.

Dr. Kirit Solanki has been omitted from the Ahmedabad West seat. The Deputy Mayor of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and former Chairman of the Standing Committee Dinesh Makwana has been fielded. The high command may have chosen Dinesh Makwana as a young face.

In Banaskantha, Parbat Patel was snubbed and the convenor of the BJP Women Cell, Rekha Chaudhary, was appointed in his place. BJP may have chosen Rekha Chaudhary to represent the Chaudhary community.

Apart from this, MP Ratansinh Rathod’s seat has been cut and Rajpalsinh Yadav's name has been nominated for the Panchmahal seat.

BJP has decided to send the former president of Panchmahal district Rajpal Singh Jadhav to Lok Sabha. Thus, the high command has selected two other new faces, including a woman.

Regarding the selection of candidates, the high command considered the report card of the present MPs of BJP and 12 MPs have been repeated.

Given the current situation in Gujarat, even though BJP has an absolute majority, there has been no drastic change in the candidates.

The current MP Mitesh Patel has been retained on the Anand seat, while MP Prabhu Vasava was given the Bardoli seat.

BJP state president CR Patil has also been repeated on the Navsari seat.

On the Kheda seat, union minister Devusinh Chauhan, and in Jamnagar, Poonam madam have been given the chance.

Given that Mansukh Vasava is known for making controversial statements, it was almost certain that he would be cut off this time. However, the BJP could not find any strong tribal candidate against the AAP candidate, therefore staying with Vasava once again.

Mansukh Vasava will contest as an MP for the seventh time. 

BJP has decided to continue with Bharatsinh Dabhi on the Patan seat, considered a weak seat for the party.

Kutch MP Vinod Chavda has been selected and will contest the Lok Sabha Elections for the third time.

Thus, the BJP seems to have put the no-repeat theory on the side for now, and the MPs have been given a second chance by taking into account the experience and popularity in the constituencies.

All the candidates declared by BJP for Lok Sabha Polls:

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP discloses first list of candidates