Union MoS Gen VK Singh (Rtd) on Sunday announced his decision to not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024. He has been representing the Ghaziabad constituency in Lok Sabha since 2014. His statement comes as rumours are rife that Arun Singh, BJP's National General Secretary, could replace him as the party's Ghaziabad candidate in the upcoming polls.
"I have dedicated my entire life to the service of this nation as a soldier. For the past 10 years, I have tirelessly worked towards making Ghaziabad a world-class city. Throughout this journey, I am grateful for the trust and love bestowed upon me by the people of this country, as well as the members of the BJP. This emotional bond is invaluable to me," he wrote on X.
Announcing his decision to not contest the upcoming polls, he added, "With these sentiments, I have made a tough but thoughtful decision. I will not be contesting in the 2024 elections. This decision was not easy for me, but I have taken it from the depths of my heart. I want to channel my energy and time into new directions, where I can serve my country in different ways."
"I sincerely thank all of you for being my companions on this journey. Your love, support, and trust have always inspired me. Moving forward, I will continue serving the nation and all its citizens, just in a different capacity," he further stated.
BJP Mulling Candidates On 24 Seats, May Field Arun Govil From Meerut
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been deliberating on the names of its remaining 24 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had announced the names of 51 candidates in the first list, and none of the existing MPs were given tickets.
According to sources, the BJP may now allocate tickets to several of its current MPs and prominent leaders in the second list.
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There is speculation within the party about fielding Arun Govil from Meerut in the upcoming elections while Arun Singh could be fielded from the Ghaziabad constituency, replacing VK Singh. Meanwhile, whether the saffron party will repeat Rajendra Agarwal from Meerut is yet to be confirmed, he has won the seat thrice.
Moreover, the BJP may experiment with new candidates on these seats where its current MPs have failed to secure victory in the 2019 elections.
It is worth noting that in the previous Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won 62 seats in the state, while its ally Apna Dal had won two seats.
(With Inputs From Neeraj Pandey)