BJP announces candidate for Sabarmati polls

The BJP Declared Babulal Jamnadas Patel as its candidate for the Sabarmati by-elections on Tuesday ending speculation as to who would win the race for candidature. The election is to be held on September 20.

The BJP general secretary Gordhan Jhadafiya announced that the central election committee of the government selected Mr. Patel out of the panel of three possible candidates suggested by the state unit. Mr. Babulal Patel is known as a dedicated BJP worker in the party circles. He started his political career as the member of Ghatlodia nagarpalika at a young age.

He remained active in politics since then and at present is the chairman of Dairy Development Board of the state and in-charge of the Mehsana district. Recently, national vice president dent of BJP Madanalal Khurana had declared it as a prestigious seat for the BJP being the constituency of Union home minister L.K. Advani.

Meeting of the state BJP unit was held in his presence in which panel of three contenders was short-listed. The names were sent to the central election committee for final selection. The contenders for the seat were former deputy mayor Surendra Patel, nava vadaj counselor Kaushik Patel and Babulal Patel. On the other hand the Congress has not yet decide its candidate. The party has sent the list of probable candidates, to the party high command.

The Sabarmati assembly seat was lying vacant since former BJP MLA Yatin Oza tendered his resignation. The by-election was earlier postponed due to the earthquake. The BJP has won this seat twice in a row. Meanwhile, both the parties have geared up for the forthcoming by-elections. BJP spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said that victory is evident as it has proved to be their stronghold.

Republished from The Asian Age