New Delhi: Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) today announced three more candidates for 26-seat Lok Sabha general elections in Gujarat.

Parbatbhai Patel will contest from Banaskantha Lok Sabha seat in North Gujarat which is presently represented by MoS Haribhai Chaudhary.

Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel is MLA from Tharad constituency. He had been minister of state for water supply and water resources with independent charge in Rupani cabinet.Born on September 4, 1948, Patel is a law graduate and active in social service since 1985. He got elected as an MLA in 1995 and also held post of minister of state for finance.

Ramesh Dhaduk will be contesting from Porbandar seat which is presently occupied by ailing Vitthalbhai Radadiya. Dhaduk is Gondal based industrialist. He is former chairman of Gondal municipality and leading Leuva Patidar community face.

Ratan Sinh will be contesting from tribal populated Panchmahal seat in Central Gujarat which is presently represented by Prabhatsinh Chauhan. Ratan Singh is independent MLA of Lunawada supporting BJP.

Ratansinh said he was informed at 1.30 pm about party’s decision to give him ticket. Ratansinh said he had expressed his wish to get ticket for Panchmahal Lok Sabha seat. Panchmahal seat involves Godhra, Kaalol, Lunawada, Shehra, Modva hadaf, Balashinor and Thasra areas where Other Backward Class(OBC) enjoy large number of presence. Ratansinh is school principal at Lakadipoyda village based school. He had been district panchayat member for 15 years. He was Sarpanch for 10 years. He contested as independent candidate in year 2017 Gujarat assembly general election and won the seat. He was expelled from Congress party for rebelling. After elected as MLA he had declared support to BJP and started wearing saffron scarf of BJP. He played role in formation of Mahisagar district panchayat body in favor of BJP.

BJP has changed sitting MPs in all these three seats.

In earlier lists, BJP had changed two candidates – Amit Shah replacing LK Advani on Gandhinagar seat and Dr. Munjapara on Surendranagar seat replacing Devjibhai Fatepara.

State BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani later in a press conference, in reply to a question asked by media said Prabhatsinh was not fielded due to certain age related criteria decided by party. It should be mentioned that BJP is not fielding those above 75-age. Prabhatsinh is 77. Prabhatsinh was seen visiting BJP headquarters in Delhi last week. It is understood that he has been convinced about his discontinuation.

Vitthalbhai Radadia is not given ticket again as he is ailing and hospitalized for last few months. His son is cabinet minister in State government.

DeshGujarat