BJP Ratia legislator Lakshman Napa has resigned from the party after being denied a ticket for the upcoming Haryana Elections. His resignation followed the party’s decision to field former Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal from the Ratia Assembly seat.
Speculation has grown about Napa joining the Congress, especially after his recent meeting with former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda.
On Wednesday, the BJP released its first list of 67 candidates. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest from Ladwa, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar, who held the position until March. Eight women are included in the list, and over half of the current BJP MLAs have been re-nominated.
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Key candidates include former state BJP chief Om Prakash Dhankar, who will run from Badli, and veteran leader Anil Vij, who seeks re-election from Ambala Cantonment. Aarti Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, will contest from Ateli.
Additionally, Shakti Rani Sharma, wife of ex-Cabinet minister Venod Sharma, has been fielded from Kalka, and Shruti Choudhry will contest from Tosham. New BJP members Devender Singh Babli and Sanjay Kablana have also secured tickets.
Candidates can file nominations until September 12, with the election set for October 5. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.