3 names on BJP’s fifth list; suspense still in Manjalpur

The last date for filing nominations is November 17.

The three candidates declared by the party are Sardarsinh Chaudhary from Kheralu, Jayantibhai Patel alias JS Patel from Mansa and Mahendrabhai Bhabhor from Garbada constituency, which is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe communities.

While Chaudhary is general secretary of the party’s Kisan Morcha, Patel and Bhabhor are senior party leaders from Mansa and Garbada constituencies respectively.

BJP party leaders said in Manjalpur, the name will be declared soon and a party candidate will file his nomination by Thursday.

A senior office-bearer of the party from Central Gujarat told this newspaper, “There has been hectic lobbying for the Manjalpur seat, given that Kaka (sitting MLA Yogesh Patel) was certain to be given rest, owing to the party policy pertaining to candidate’s age and repeated tenures…”

Adding that the seat will mostly have a Patel candidate though names of other old timers, too, are in discussion, the office-bearer said, “We are expecting that the name of the candidate will be declared soon although we have heard that Kaka too has been asked to ready his papers as Thursday is the last date for filing nominations.”

Rumours are rife in political circles that Anar Patel, daughter of former CM Anandiben Patel, is in the reckoning from the seat. Party leaders, however, are awaiting a formal announcement of the candidate.

Yogesh Patel, a seven-term MLA from the seat, had also held meetings with party workers last week in preparation for the upcoming polls. Patel, however, refused to comment.

Elections for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.