In pics: BJP drops 33 MPs in first list of Lok Sabha polls, some linked with hate speeches

Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary Vinod Tawde (R) announced the first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections during a press conference, in New Delhi. But some of the MPs couldn't make it to the list. (PTI photo)

In Bhopal, the BJP has replaced terror accused Pragya Thakur with Alok Sharma. An accused in the 2008 Malegaon bombings case, Thakur made headlines when she called Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse a “patriot”. Her remarks were condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said that while she has sought an apology. (ANI photo)

Another controversial Delhi MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma who is known for his notorious anti-Muslim remarks, has also been dropped. Earlier, in 2020, Verma had made controversial remarks during the Shaheen Bagh protest and this time he hit headlines again for a public boycott call seemingly aimed at Muslims. (PTI photo)

Another MP is South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhur who was replaced by Ramvir Singh Bidhuri. He hit the abusive remarks against Muslim MP Danish Ali inside the Parliament. The derogatory remarks were caught on camera and sparked a huge row. While the South Delhi MP later apologised, the BJP's first list shows it was not enough. (PTI photo)

BJP also dropped the name of the minister of state for external affairs and culture Meenakashi Lekhi. She has been replaced by Sushri Bansuri Swaraj from her New Delhi seat. Bansuri Swaraj is a Supreme Court lawyer and daughter of the late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. (ANI photo)

Chandni Chowk MP and former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan could not make it to the first list of candidates. Businessman Praveen Khandelwal was fielded from the Chandni Chowk constituency on the ticket of BJP. (PTI photo)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia are among the big names that have made it to the poll arena. (Scindia photo: IANS; Shivraj: PTI)