Gujarat elections: BJP releases first list of candidates
What's the story
BJP has released its first list of 70 candidates for the Gujarat elections. The polls to the 182-member Legislative Assembly will be held in two phases - December 9 and 14.
The list comprises of 45 names for the first phase and 25 for the second phase.
Apart from BJP's notable leaders, it also includes former Congress MLAs who joined BJP during RS polls.
Tickets
Party repeats most legislators; gives tickets to Congress rebels
BJP has repeated 49 of its sitting MLAs. CM Vijay Rupani will contest from "prestige-seat" Rajkot (West), Deputy CM Nitin Patel from Mehsana and state chief Jitu Vaghani from Bhavnagar (West).
BJP has also given tickets to five former Congress members who voted for BJP during the bitterly-fought RS election of Ahmed Patel and the presidential election. These include Raghavji Patel, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, etc.
Rajkot West
Why is Rupani's Rajkot seat a prestige issue for BJP?
Rupani's Rajkot (West) seat is a prestige issue for the BJP.
BJP's Vajubhai Vala had won this seat in 1984. He continued till 2002 when he vacated it for CM-designate Narendra Modi, who won his first-ever election from there.
After Modi became PM, Rupani won the 2014 by-poll.
This seat has majority Patidar voters; Rupani confronts a tough challenge as BJP faces Patidars' ire.
Late release
Meanwhile, why did BJP release the list so late?
Reports say the delay was mainly because both the BJP and Congress were waiting for the other side to release their list first. November 21 is the last date for filing first phase nominations.
This list was finalized in a meeting attended by party chief Amit Shah, PM Narendra Modi, HM Rajnath Singh and other members of the BJP Central Election Committee.
Significance
What does the BJP's first list indicate?
BJP might have taken a cautious approach as of those candidates who are being repeated, many are contesting for their sixth term.
Considering the challenge BJP faces from Hardik Patel encroaching upon their Patel votes, BJP has fielded 16 Patidar candidates.
Further, only 16 new faces have been fielded, apart from 4 women candidates.