The Rajasthan elections this time are crucial for the political fortunes of Vasundhara Raje. But before she begins the battle against the Congress, settling the internal rift over ticket distribution in the BJP has become an acid test of Raje’s political skills. After hours of deliberations over the weekend, the BJP finally announced its first list of candidates for the Assembly elections. The polls for the 200-seat state assembly are scheduled Dec 4.

However, despite the lengthy discussions, the BJP senior leaders could only finalize and announce the names of 95 candidates, 21 less than the Congress in their first list. The list includes Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who will contest from Jhalrapatan, the constituency from which she won in the last elections.

BJP Candidate for the Election

In its first list of candidates for the Rajasthan polls, the BJP has dropped the names of 12 sitting legislators and repeated 24 members. The rest of the candidates are new faces.

According to the list, the food and civil supplies minister Ghanshyam Tiwari is the candidate from Sanganer, education minister Kalicharan Saraf from Malviya Nagar and the mayor Ashok Parnami from Adarsh Nagar.

Two Cabinet ministers will also contest from different seats. While professor Sanwar Lal Jat will contest from Nasirabad as his present seat Bhinai is now reserved. Rajendra Singh Rathore has now shifted to Taranagar. Rathore, who was facing strong anti-incumbency in his present constituency of Churu, made his presence felt in Taranagar during the past six months.

The BJP has also kept its promise of more tickets for women. The list includes 15 women candidates. The list also includes three candidates from the minority communities. The BJP, which has dropped 12 sitting legislators and repeated 24 members, has fielded a number of new faces.

The party has gone ahead with Dr Digamber Singh from Deeg. The party has also allotted the Bandikui ticket to Salindra Joshi, former Congress minister who had recently joint the BJP.

According to party, the discussions for the remaining seats will continue on Monday, though the party is expected to announce the second list on November 13. Most of the remaining seats are sensitive and can lead to protests and hence, the party is postponing the announcement till the last moment.