The ruling BJP released its third list of 28 candidates for Gujarat Assembly polls on Monday noon in which nine MlAs were repeated and 15 have been denied tickets. 

Already the saffron brigade announced names of 106

candidates in its first two lists. With this, the party has declared names of 134

candidates out of 182. Interestingly the BJP has decided to give 15 tickets to Patidars out of 28 in the third list and total 35 out of 134 candidates announced. 

Minister of State Nanu Vanani has not repeated. Other major exclusion is senior BJP leader IK Jadeja, whose supporters had gathered at the State BJP headquarters and sought his candidature from Dhrangadhra as he was denied ticket from Wadhwan. The party, however, rejected their demand and has fielded Jayrambhai Sonagara. The Kodinar SC seat will now be contested by Rambhai Vadher, replacing the sitting legislator Jethabhai Solanki, who had resigned from the party on Saturday.

Former Gujarat BJP president RC Faldu has been given ticket from Jamnagar in place of former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s younger sister Vasuben Trivedi. First Dalit speaker of Gujarat Assembly, Ramanlal Vora found his name in the third list from Dasada constituency in North Gujarat reserved for Schedule Caste.

Other interesting inclusion is former Minister Saurabh Patel who was not included in Vijay Rupani’s Council of Minister has been given ticket from Botad constituency. In the last election, Patel won from Akota constituency in Vadodara. Sources in the BJP said that, Patel was forced to change seat as there was dissatisfaction among BJP workers in Vadodara against him. Former Minister Govindbhai Patel too included in the list from his current constituency Rajkot East dominated by leuva Patels.

Sources in Gujarat BJP said that before the announcement of list, the party high command had informed all the candidates well in advance. Even those who were denied tickets were also informed claimed the source.