AHMEDABAD: With the nomination process for the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat began on Friday, the BJP has announced that five candidates including Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandviya, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will file their nominations.
Meanwhile, the BJP candidate Purusottam Rupala has signalled that he will filing his nomination papers on April 16 along with three other candidates.
This move comes at a time when there are ongoing protests by the Kshatriya community against Rupala demanding his replacement.
Rupala during a programme held in Rajkot stated, "Friends, there are efforts to disrupt the atmosphere. Yet, I earnestly urge you all to exercise patience and restraint. Let's proceed with caution."
While the election commission has set April 20 as the deadline for candidates filing their nominations, the State BJP announced the dates of various candidates filing their nominations.
The party sources revealed that the candidates are directed to file their nominations in three phases starting from April 15.
Mansukh Mandviya is said to file his forms on April 15 along with five other party candiadates, while 16 other BJP candidates are expected to file their nominations on the following day (April 16).
On April 18, three BJP candidates will submit their nominations, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will conclude the process by filing his nomination from the Gandhinagar seat on April 19.
Before his nomination on April 18, Amit Shah will lead a roadshow in Gujarat.
Gujarat Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister of BJP-governed states, prominent BJP leaders, and state office bearers are expected to be attending Amit Shah's roadshow.
On April 18, Gujarat BJP state president and Navsari Lok Sabha candidate C.R. Patil, along with three other BJP candidates, will complete their form submissions.