New Delhi: The BJP's final list of candidates released on Monday finally did not have the name of former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.Ms Patel's name was doing the round for Ghatlodia constituency in Ahmedabad - from where the saffron party has decided to field Bhupendrabhai Patel. With Monday's list of 34 candidates, the BJP has named all candidates for the 182-member Gujarat assembly elections to be held in two phases on December 9 and December 14.
The list also excluded the name of former Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadafia, whose name was being speculated for Bapunagar seat. The BJP nominee from the seat will be Jagrupsinh Rajput.Zadafiya had quit BJP in the run up to the 2012 polls and had associated himself with Keshbhai Patel-led Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP).According to the list released here, prominent candidates include Laljibhai Prajapati from Palanpur and Jainarayanbhai Vyas from Siddhpur.
Mr Prajapati is an OBC face while Mr Vyas is also known as 'water expert'. From Radhonpur, the party candidate will be Lavingji Thakor. Mr Vyas was defeated by Congress’ Balvant Rajput in 2012 but the party leadership decided to try the former Minister yet again.Notably, Mr Rajput shifted to BJP in August on the eve of Rajya Sabha polls and has been also made chairman of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). From Hindutva stronghold Ellisbridge constituency in Ahmedabad, the party has renominated Rakeshbhai Shah.
In Maninagar, the BJP candidate will be Sureshbhai Patel. This constituency was represented by Narendra Modi thrice and also in 2012 election.Sureshbhai Patel had won the bypolls in 2014 from the same constituency after Mr Modi had moved to New Delhi as Prime Minister.(UNI)