New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday released the fifth list of 12 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly election. With the new list, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has announced the names of 53 candidates so far for the upcoming polls to 182 Assembly seats.
The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have so far not announced the names of any of their candidates for the polls.
The latest names announced for 12 seats, four of which are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and two for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
As per the list, Rajesh Pandoriya is the AAP candidate from Bhuj, Jayantibhai Parnami from Idar, Ashok Gajea from Nikol, Jasvant Thakor from Sabarmati, Sanjay Bhatasna from Tankara, Valjibhai Makwana from Kodinar (SC), Ravjibhai Vaghela from Mahuda, Udeysinh Chauhan from Balasinor, Banabhai Damor from Morva Hadaf (ST), Anil Garasiya from Jhalod (ST), Chaitar Vasava from Dediapada (ST), and Bipin Choudhary from Vyara (ST).
The list comes as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will begin a two-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat from today.
Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Kejriwal along with Punjab CM Mann will address public rallies in Bhavnagar, Mehsana, and Banaskantha districts during the two days, AAP's state general secretary Manoj Sorathiya said, as reported by news agency PTI.
"They will reach Bhavnagar on Sunday afternoon and address a public rally there," Sorathiya informed on Saturday.
On Monday, the two leaders will address public meetings in Unjha town of Mehsana district and Deesa town in Banaskantha district, he said.
"During the two days, the two leaders will also meet local leaders and hold meetings with the state AAP leaders on the upcoming elections," Sorathiya said, as quoted by PTI.
CM Kejriwal has visited Gujarat multiple times in the recent past and made a number of promises for the welfare of Gujarat if his party is voted to power.
The visit comes as AAP's state president is embroiled in a controversy over a video in which he was allegedly heard using derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi
AAP's Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia was released after being detained by Delhi Police from the National Commission for Women (NCW) office on Thursday. Italia appeared before the NCW amid protests by AAP workers outside the panel's office in Delhi.
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia termed Italia's detention as "BJP politics" and alleged that he had been "detained because he belonged to a party that knew how to transform schools".
NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma had summoned Italia for using "abusive and indecent language" against PM Modi and said his comment was "gender biased, misogynist and condemnable".
The elections in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Gujarat are due this year-end. While Election Commission has releaed the poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh, an announcement for Gujarat polls is awaited.
ALSO READ | Why EC Did Not Announce Gujarat Assembly Election Dates Along With Himachal Poll Schedule
(With Agency Inputs)