BJP gives Bijnor ticket to riot-accused Bhartendra

On the last day of nominations for the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP Saturday changed its candidate from Bijnor, replacing Rajendra Singh with local MLA Bhartendra Singh, who was booked in the Muzarffarnagar riots case.

The last moment decision by the party led to a clash between supporters of the two.

Party state spokesperson Manoj Mishra confirmed that Bhartendra Singh is the new candidate for Bijnor. Sources said the BJP has changed the candidate to counter RLD candidate Jaya Prada.