Three sitting BJP MPs figured in the third list of candidates, consisting of 35 names, for the Rajasthan Assembly elections declared today.
The three MPs are Kiran Maheshwari, MP from Udaipur, who will be contesting from the Rajsamand assembly seat; Srichand Kriplani, MP from Chittorgarh, will contest from Badisadhri; and Raghuvi Singh Kaushal, MP from Kota, will contest from Antaa.
BJP general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Gopinath Munde said these MPs are being fielded in the Assembly polls for various reasons like changes in the profile of their constituencies after delimitation and demand of locals.
Munde said in the third list 12 sitting MLAs have been denied party tickets to fight strong anti-incumbency against them.
"There are seven women on this list pushing the total number of women candidates from BJP to 30. Three candidates in the third list are from the Schedule Caste and two from Schedule Tribe," Munde said.
The party will declare candidates for the remaining 18 seats by evening, Munde said.
BJP sources said the party is likely to give four seats to JD (U).
Discussions are on with INLD as well for some seats. Rajendra Gehlot has been fielded by BJP from Sardarpura against Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Munde denied that there was in-fighting within the Rajasthan unit of BJP over distribution of tickets.
The third list for Rajasthan was finalised by the Central Election Committee of BJP which met today under the chairpersonship of party president Rajnath Singh and in the presence of senior leader L K Advani.