2019 Elections: Meet 5 potential PM candidates for general elections
About a year before the 2014 general elections, the then Gujarat CM Modi had taken everyone by storm with his incessant attacks on UPA 2. Modi's captivating speeches had kick-started one of the most entertaining yet one-sided Lok Sabha campaigning in the past few decades. With Modi being on the other side today, we explore five probable candidates who could become the PM in 2019.
5. Mayawati: BSP supremo and former Chief Minister of UP
In 2008 as Uttar Pradesh CM, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati admitted her aspirations of becoming the PM in the run-up to 2009 Lok Sabha elections. She had asked, "Why can't Dalit ki Beti (daughter of Dalit) become the PM?" The agenda is still ripe and her party members have expressed their desire for making Mayawati the Opposition's face against the PM.
4. Naveen Patnaik: Chief Minister of Odisha
Earlier in February, four-time Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik rubbished all speculations of an alliance between his Biju Janata Dal and the BJP. Patnaik's untainted leadership in Odisha has many takers. Though he does not have a mass appeal, he certainly has an audience of his own. In changed times with united Opposition, he may be a contender. Desperate times, desperate choices!
3. Mamata Banerjee: Chief Minister of West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee, who once said she favors PM Modi but not Amit Shah, harbors her own ambitions of Prime Minister-ship. WB sends a considerable 42 MPs to the Lok Sabha, giving Banerjee a sizable edge above others. Earlier in May, a Facebook campaign demanding a Bengali (Banerjee) as the next PM was run by Trinamool's supporters against Rahul Gandhi's pitch for the post.
2. Rahul Gandhi: Congress President and Member of Parliament
Naturally, Rahul Gandhi is the first choice of Congress. After years of dilly-dallying and apparent 'makeover', he finally took over as Congress President in December'17. But too many potential PM candidates within the united opposition pose a serious challenge to his candidature. He obviously doesn't have that clout, which perhaps his mother enjoys. His competitors may challenge his bid owing to Congress's awful performance under his leadership.
1. Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India
The man himself! Unquestionably, Modi is the strongest contender for the PM's post. In fact, it's the threat posed by his leadership that has united the Opposition. His massive popularity has raised BJP's stature from being a regional to a national party. BJP now has presence in 20 Indian states. Notably, recent 'Pulse of the Nation' survey claims 71.9% people vouch for Modi again as the PM in 2019.
