BJP TARGETS 2019, MANY SITTING MPS MAY GET THE CHOP

a disconnect between the people and the MPs in many seats which we need to address. We have already started preparing for the 2019 elections and no nonperformer, whatever be his stature or experience, will be allowed to ruin the party’s chances. No MP should be under the impression that his or her ticket is confirmed,” said a senior party source, who, however, did not give the number of such MPs who may be denied tickets. However, multiple sources in the BJP indicated that one third of the sitting MPs may be dropped.

PM Modi, according to sources, wants to give tick- ets to “young” faces so as to build the party’s next generation of leaders.

“Our second generation is not that strong. The number of leaders who constitute the next generation can be counted on fingers and that is why we are looking at a larger picture of having more young energetic leaders who can represent the party’s views in the public in the coming years. The way people overwhelmingly voted for the BJP (in Uttar Pradesh) is a clear indication of the PM’s popularity cutting across religion and caste. Denying tickets to a substantial number of current MPs is a step towards maintaining this momentum,” the party source added.

In the 2014 general elections, BJP won on 282 seats out of the 427 it contested. “In 2014, Modi was the sole reason behind the victory of many of our MPs. However, if the MP is not in a position to win on his own this time, then it is better that he or she is replaced,” added the party leader.