Who can win? BJP leadership puts Chandigarh aspirants under scanner ahead of civic polls

Ahead of the Chandigarh civic polls scheduled for late in the year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is conducting an internal survey to evaluate the winnability of potential candidates from its ranks. The party's high command in Delhi is reportedly seeking direct feedback from the ground about the prospects of these aspirants. The survey could have implications for some sitting BJP councillors, as those found with weak electoral prospects may not be retained.

A senior BJP leader noted that the Delhi leadership is conducting this survey and that the ground feedback will be crucial in the decision-making process.

The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) is considered a significant electoral threat by the BJP for this poll. The party is viewed as more formidable a competitor than the Congress, particularly due to its continued strong presence in several city colonies and densely populated areas. While the Congress remains a traditional rival, the AAP's organizational reach and voter connection in areas such as Khuda Ali Sher and other colonies could potentially pose a stronger challenge for the BJP.

Consequently, the BJP is scrutinizing AAP's grassroots network more closely than its diminished strength in the current Municipal Corporation House.

Several BJP aspirants are being reconsidered as part of the survey, including Dalip Kumar, Harjit Singh, Bimla Dubey (wife of BJP leader Anil Dubey), Gurcharan Singh, Poonam, and Gurbax Rawat. The final decision will rely on their winnability rather than their position within the local party organization. The survey is taking on added significance as factionalism within the Chandigarh BJP grows, with different factions vying for the support of aspirants close to their camps. However, the party leadership is keen to distance itself from these internal political equations.

The candidature of Poonam and Gurbax Rawat, who have recently moved from AAP and Congress to the BJP respectively, has sparked discussions among party members. While the Chandigarh BJP chief is not particularly keen on their candidature, their fate will ultimately depend on the outcome of the winnability assessment conducted by the high command.

Other notable figures, such as former mayors Davesh Moudgil and Rajesh Kalia, who lost the previous civic election, are also attempting to return to the electoral fray. Some senior leaders may also seek tickets for their wives, adding more aspirants to the competitive race.

The BJP's internal exercise comes in the wake of its underestimation of the AAP challenge in the 2021 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election, where AAP emerged as the single largest party with 14 of the 35 seats, while the BJP won 12. This time, the BJP is taking AAP more seriously, recognizing that the party has built a strong organizational structure and continues to maintain a significant support base in several colonies, including Khuda Ali Sher.

The internal survey also coincides with the party's reflection on its electoral performance in the previous civic polls, as it seeks to avoid repeating the same mistake.

The Chandigarh civic battle holds broader significance for the BJP, as it could offer insights into voter sentiment and organizational strength ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for the following year. The performance of political parties in Chandigarh may serve as an early indicator of the urban electorate's preferences and the party's ability to navigate factionalism, anti-incumbency, and the AAP challenge.

The internal survey is shaping up as a pivotal test not only for the party's candidates but also for its capacity to manage various challenges and maintain its electoral relevance in the region. Ultimately, the BJP's decision-making process will prioritize candidates' winnability over mere loyalty to retain their seats in the Municipal Corporation.