Lok Sabha elections 2024: Why PM Modi may kick off campaign from Bulandshahr not Varanasi

Lok Sabha elections 2024: As the political landscape in India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a campaign trail, potentially aiming for a historic third term. The choice of Bulandshahr in western Uttar Pradesh for the campaign kickoff, instead of his home constituency Varanasi, has triggered speculations and raised questions about the strategic considerations behind this decision.

As per information, Prime Minister Narendra, representing the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is likely to commence his campaign in Bulandshahr on January 25, just days after the grand consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple. Party sources suggest that the BJP is anticipating a massive turnout, with claims of around 5 lakh people attending the rally.

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Why Bulandshahr?

The decision to launch the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 from Bulandshahr, as opposed to Varanasi, has become a focal point of discussion. Given that Varanasi holds sentimental value as PM Modi's political stronghold, the choice of Bulandshahr signals a deliberate strategy by the BJP.

Electoral Dynamics in Western UP

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP made significant gains in Uttar Pradesh by securing 71 out of 80 seats. However, the 2019 elections saw a marginal decline, with the BJP winning in 62 seats, facing defeats in six constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh. Currently holding eight out of 14 seats in the region, the Prime Minister's decision to kick off the campaign from Bulandshahr indicates a targeted approach to reclaim lost ground.

Strategic Vision for 2024

Sources suggest that PM Modi is keen on reversing the fortunes of the BJP in the six constituencies it lost in 2019. The campaign launch in Bulandshahr is seen as a strategic move to reconnect with voters in these contested areas, offering a vision for victory in the upcoming elections.

Varanasi vs Bulandshahr

While Varanasi holds symbolic significance for PM Modi, launching the campaign from Bulandshahr underscores a broader electoral calculus. It aligns with a meticulous plan to address specific challenges and strengthen the BJP's grip in western Uttar Pradesh, crucial for securing a decisive mandate in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Alliance Dynamics

In the midst of this strategic move, the political landscape is witnessing alliance formations. A day after announcing an alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is engaged in discussions with the Congress to finalise the seat-sharing formula in Uttar Pradesh. The alliance dynamics add an extra layer of complexity to the electoral landscape, setting the stage for a closely contested battle.

Akhilesh Yadav's Strategy

Akhilesh Yadav emphasises the need for more discussions with the Congress, stressing the importance of winnability as the key criterion for seat allocation. At a meeting held in Lucknow, he urged party workers to focus on registering supporters in the new voter list, accusing the BJP government of allegedly removing some party workers' names.

As the political chessboard takes shape for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Modi's campaign kickoff from Bulandshahr emerges as a strategic move aimed at addressing electoral challenges in western Uttar Pradesh.