In final list of 34, BJP drops 4 MLAs, repeats a dozen

In its final list of 34 candidates announced on Monday morning, just hours before the deadline for filing of nominations expired, the ruling BJP repeated a dozen MLAs, while dropping four others, including a minister.

According to the list, BJP's sixth and final one, former minister Kaushik Patel will contest from Naranpura. The seat had fallen vacant recently after party president Amit Shah's resignation following his election to Rajya Sabha.

The BJP has nominated Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) chairman Bhupendra Patel as the candidate from Ghatlodia seat, which former CM Anandiben Patel had won with a record margin of 1.10 lakh votes in 2012. Anandiben is not contesting the elections. Patel is seen as her loyalist.

Six sitting MLAs from Ahmedabad city also figure in the list. They are Kishor Chauhan from Vejalpur, Rakesh Shah (Ellisbridge), Jagrupsinh Rajput (Bapunagar), Hasmukh Patel (Amraiwadi), Suresh Patel (Maninagar) and Arvind Patel (Sabarmati).

Earlier, the BJP renominated Pradipsinh Jadeja (Vatva), Bhushan Bhatt (Jamalpur Khadia) and Jagdish Panchal (Nikol) from their existing seats.

Nagarji Thakor, MLA from Radhanpur, and Limkheda (ST) MLA Vichhiya Bhuriya, were the other two MLAs who missed out.

Former home minister Rajni Patel, who was dropped from the ministry last year, is among the repeated MLAs. He will contest from Becharaji seat of Mehsana. Rushikesh Patel (Visnagar), Ashok Patel (Gandhinagar North), Shambhuji Thakor (Gandhinagar South), Madhubhai Shrivastav (Waghodia) and Jitu Sukhadiya (Sayajigunj) are some of the other MLAs who have been repeated.