On March 30, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its eighth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, announcing 11 contenders across three states. Notable inclusions are former Congress MP Preneet Kaur and three-time Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who have switched allegiance to the BJP.
The list of candidates encompasses 11 nominees spread across three states – Punjab, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Among the prominent names in the list is six-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who recently defected from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and is now slated to contest from Cuttack, Odisha. Also making headlines is Preneet Kaur, the suspended Congress MP and spouse of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who will now be vying for the Patiala seat under the BJP banner. Kaur’s shift to the saffron party was formalised earlier this month in the presence of senior BJP leaders.
भाजपा ने लोकसभा चुनाव उम्मीदवारों की एक और सूची जारी की
तीन राज्यों (ओडिशा, पंजाब और बंगाल) की ११ सीटों पर उम्मीदवारों की घोषणा
हाल में शामिल हुए नेताओं को पार्टी ने टिकट दिया है, जिसमें ओडिशा से महताब, पंजाब में रवनीत बिट्टू, सुशील रिंकू, तरणजीत संधू ,परनीत कौर हैं।
बंगाल में… pic.twitter.com/vbp8ekFPYA
— Nishant Azad/निशांत आज़ाद🇮🇳 (@azad_nishant) March 30, 2024
Adding to the lineup of significant entrants is Ravneet Singh Bittu, a three-time Congress MP and descendant of former Punjab CM Beant Singh. Bittu is set to compete from Ludhiana, a move that could reshape the political landscape in the region. Another noteworthy inclusion is former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sushil Kumar Rinku, who has been fielded from Jalandhar. Rinku’s transition to the BJP marks a significant shift, considering he was the sole AAP MP and their nominee for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP’s list also features candidates from Odisha and West Bengal. In Odisha, Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera has been nominated to contest from Jajpur, while Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi will represent the party in Kandhamal.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the BJP has nominated Pranat Tudu for the Jhargram seat and Debashish Dhar for Birbhum. Dhar’s candidacy follows his recent resignation from the Indian Police Services, indicating a transition from bureaucracy to politics.
The recent additions of Sushil Kumar Rinku and diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu to the BJP further bolster the party’s lineup. Rinku, who represents the Scheduled Caste community, brings with him experience as the sole AAP MP, amplifying the BJP’s outreach efforts. Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s entry into the BJP, coming from a distinguished diplomatic background, adds a layer of expertise to the party’s cadre.
With these latest announcements, the BJP continues to solidify its roster for the impending Lok Sabha elections, strategically positioning itself to capitalise on political shifts and expand its footprint across diverse regions.
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