Gujarat MPs on Tenterhooks as Modi Magic Blooms

Surat : As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections loom, a palpable tension hangs over  political landscape in Gujarat following Modi magic in the three states. With BJP’s recent landslide victories in three states, 24 out of 26 MPs from the state are reportedly sweating over their re-election prospects. The reason? A growing concern that their party might prioritize “fresh faces” over established names in the upcoming polls.

“The BJP’s resounding victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh have once again highlighted the centrality of PM Modi in electoral success,” says a political analyst. “This realization has sparked anxiety among Gujarat MPs, especially those above 60, who fear their age might work against them.”

The fear stems from a recent trend within the BJP. In the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections, several senior leaders were gently encouraged to step aside, paving the way for younger candidates. This, along with the party’s emphasis on “new blood” in other state victories, has fueled speculation that similar maneuvers might be employed in the Lok Sabha race.

“The sword of Damocles hangs heavy, especially for those over 60,” says a BJP insider. . “The whispers in the corridors of power suggest a repeat of the 2022 assembly strategy – retire the old, bring in the new. This uncertainty is causing immense stress among Gujarat MPs, who are desperate to retain their seats.”

Adding fuel to the fire are reports of Amit Shah and CR Patil, the BJP’s two top guns in Gujarat, pushing for a significant revamp of the party’s MP roster. While both Shah and Patil remain secure, their influence could tip the scales in favor of younger candidates seen as more aligned with the party’s current direction.

The brewing discontent among senior MPs has the potential to create fissures within the Gujarat BJP. Whether the party can navigate these internal pressures and maintain its Lok Sabha dominance remains to be seen. One thing is certain – the upcoming months promise to be a period of intense political maneuvering and anxious waiting for Gujarat’s MPs, who find their futures hanging precariously in the balance.

“The Modi wave might still be strong, but its undercurrents are shifting. The Gujarat MPs are right to be nervous – their political survival hinges on whether they can adapt to the changing tide within the BJP”. Said Prakash Desai, a  political analyst.

EOM