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Ananth Kumar, Arif, Tripathi in BJP?s third list
The new Muslim face of the BJP, Arif Mohammed Khan, UP Assembly Speaker Kesri Nath Tripathi and Karnataka unit chief Ananth Kumar were among the prominent leaders who figured in the party?s 53-member third list announced on March 21.
The new Muslim face of the BJP, Arif Mohammed Khan, UP Assembly Speaker Kesri Nath Tripathi and Karnataka unit chief Ananth Kumar were among the prominent leaders who figured in the party’s 53-member third list announced on March 21
It seems that BJP and the Congress are playing a waiting game over announcing candidates for key seats. The BJP has again deferred decisions on constituencies where some second-line leaders are keen to contest.
Its ally JD(U) is expected to release its list of nominees on Monday. Indications are that Nitish Kumar will stick to Barh, and George Fernandes will seek re-election from Nalanda. Capt Jainarain Nishad to contest from Muzaffarpur.
Arif Mohammed Khan will contest from Kaisarganj. Khan was keen to contest from Baharaich but the BJP wished to retain the sitting MP, PS Choudhry Another new entrant, Satpal Mallik, has been nomined to face RLD leader Ajit Singh at Baghpat.
Surprisingly, controversial Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kesarinath Tripathi, who is disliked by both BSP and SP, will contest from Machhilishahar.
Amar Pal Singh, who was intially named for Meerut seat, has been shifted to Muzaffarnagar. JD(U) gets Meerut. Former Union minister Dhananjay Kumar has been denied a ticket from his constituency, Mangalore.
Interestingly, Ananth Kumar, who was among the chief minister probables in Karnataka, re-contests Bangalore-South.
By doing so, the leadership seems to be conveying that it does not wish to project anyone as CM candidate. Perhaps it is not sure of prospects in Karnataka.
The BJP named former Bangalore police commissioner H T Sangliyana as its candidate for Bangalore-North. Sangliyana is from Mizoram, was head of the special team to nab forest brigand Veerappan.
So far, the BJP has named 289 candidates, while replacing 19 sitting MPs.
