As the 2019 Lok Sabha elections inch closer, many sitting MPs may not be picked as candidates this time around for the upcoming elections, reported Hindustan Times. The proportion could be as high as 15 percent as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly considering using feedback from people through the NaMo app to make the decision.
“He solicits responses on welfare schemes, other government programmes and even subjects that people would want to hear from the Prime Minister on his monthly mann ki baat radio programme.”A BJP leader to The Hindustan Times
This comes just a month after subscribers of the NaMo App received a questionnaire as part of a survey being conducted by the BJP ahead of 2019 elections. Subscribers were asked questions about their opinions on the government’s schemes, suggestions for PM Modi and a report card on party leaders, MPs and MLAs.
A few topics covered in the survey included employment opportunities, corruption, road construction, Swachh Bharat, health and national security.
The HT report added that this would be just one of the many methods that the BJP will be using to select candidates. Party Chief, Amit Shah is also reportedly considering findings of independent surveys commissioned by him to make decisions. Apart from this, an exercise will be conducted by state units and politicians to decide on candidates who are most likely to win seats. Feedback will also be sought from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, the publication reported.
“In most cases, there is a convergence between the outcome of the independent surveys and the response of the Sangh Parivar. It limits scope for manipulation, favouritism and helps identify the best candidate who can win election. A two-thirds majority (in the assembly) in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand would not have been possible without right candidates.”A BJP leader to Hindustan Times
The two BJP leaders HT spoke to allegedly cited the reason for the decision was because first, the BJP fears that about a dozen MPs in UP will cross over to either the Samajwadi Party (SP) or the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Second, the party is wary of the performance of a large number of its MPs in northern, western and central India, where the BJP won 232 out of its total tally of 282 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
(With input from Hindustan Times)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)