New Delhi: In its latest electoral list announced today, the BJP has introduced several new candidates, including industrialist Naveen Jindal, Ranjit Chautala, former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, and actor Kangana Ranaut.
The notable inclusion of these individuals underscores the BJP's strategy to diversify its candidate pool for the upcoming elections. However, the decision also involves the omission of Varun Gandhi, with his mother, Maneka Gandhi, instead being nominated from Sultanpur. Varun Gandhi's former constituency, Pilibhit, will now see former Congressman Jitin Prasada as the BJP's candidate.
In a significant move, senior BJP leader K Surendran has been chosen to contest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Kerala's Wayanad constituency.
For Kangana Ranaut, this marks her debut in electoral politics as she contests from Mandi, her hometown in Himachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay's entry into the political arena after voluntary retirement highlights a departure from the traditional stance of the judiciary.
From Odisha, where the BJP has allied with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal, the party has nominated two prominent leaders. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will contest from Sambhalpur, while Sambit Patra will vie for the seat from Puri.