BJP announced that Yoonus Khan will contest the elections from the Muslim-dominated constituency in Rajasthan on Monday, the day when final nomination papers are to be filed.
Tonk: BJP rolled its political dice at the 11th hour to change the game in Rajasthan Assembly Elections. Days after announcing its first list with MLA Ajit Singh Mehta contesting from Tonk, it changed the nomination in the nick of time taking everyone by surprise.
Congress had fielded Sachin Pilot from Tonk days ago. BJP announced that Yoonus Khan will contest the elections from the Muslim-dominated constituency in Rajasthan on Monday, the day when final nomination papers are to be filed.
Khan, state transport minister and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s closest aide, is a sitting MLA from Deedwana constituency of Nagaur district. He replaces MLA Ajit Singh Mehta.
Mehta’s name had been included in the in the first list issued on November 11.
Khan was one of the two Muslim candidates elected on BJP ticket in 2013.
Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot is in the running for the post of chief minister of the state. He contesting in the state polls for the first time. He had earlier fought the Lok Sabha polls from Ajmer.
The BJP Monday released its fifth list of six candidates for the upcoming elections. It has dropped Mehta and Shankarlal Kharadi, who were earlier given tickets from Tonk and Kherwara, respectively. Nanala Aahri will contest the polls from Kerwara instead. Apart from this, Mukesh Goyel will contest from Kotputali, Mohit Yadav from Behror, O P Saini from Karauli, Rajendra Vinayaka from Kekri and Ramchandra Utta from Khinwsar.
Rajasthan votes on December 7 and results will be declared on December 11.