Earning The Ticket

Dropping underperforming MLAs is good practice. But it’s possible only in parties with strong leadership

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A standout feature of BJP’s approach to elections is its clinical analysis of winnability prospects of sitting legislators. BJPdropping over 30 sitting MLAs in Gujarat has unnerved many of its Karnataka legislators. Earlier this year, BJP repeated just 149 of 312 UP MLAs from the 2017 victory. This is good practice. Many MLAs are poor performers and since they contest on a party symbol, the party owes accountability to voters to not field the same candidate again. It also helps distance the party from local anti-incumbency against the candidate. Parties with strong leadership are g