BJP’s central election panel meet tomorrow

New Delhi: The first meeting of the BJP’s central election committee for the coming Lok Sabha elections is likely to be held on February 29. The BJP’s top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be attending the meeting, after which the names of at least 100-120 candidates are expected to be released.

Sources said that the names of top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Modi and some Union ministers, are likely to be part of the first list. The names of some Union ministers who are now members of the Rajya Sabha, could also be a part of the list. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been representing Varanasi parliamentary seat since 2014.

The BJP top brass has been holding meetings with state leaders, including core group leaders, to strategise for the general election. BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union home minister Amit Shah have been holding meetings with the core group leaders from sthe tates on election related issues, including its strategy on seats it lost in the last election.

Speculation is rife that the party could pick “credible” faces for seats considered as the stronghold of the Opposition parties, mainly in the South where the BJP is yet to gain a stronghold. The party recently held its national council meeting, where Mr Modi reiterated the ruling party's target of 370 seats.