Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Friday released its first list of candidates for the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, slated for February 20.
In Punjab, the BJP is contesting elections in alliance with Punjab Lok Congress, led by former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sankyukt), the breakaway faction of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi Punjab BJP in-charge Dushyant Gautam, who released the list, hit out at the previous government on account of poor governance and corruption.
BJP general secretary Tarun Chug said representation has been given to all sections of the society in the list of BJP candidates released. “12 of the 34 candidates were from farmers' families, eight are Dalits, and 13 are Sikhs. The party has made a judicious mixture of young and experienced while looking at winnability of a candidate,” he said. He said there’s a strong ‘anti-Congress’ wave in Punjab and the BJP has a bright chance of forming the next government in the State.
He said soon the final list be out after discussions with the alliance partners.
The BJP candidates include former minister Manoranjan Kalia from Jalandhar Central. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, a sitting MLA who quit the Congress to join BJP will contest from Ferozepur City. The other among few key candidates include Ranjit Singh Khojewal — Kapurthala, Mahendra Pal Bhagat — Jalandhar West, Krishandev Bhandari — Jalandhar North, Jangi Lal Mahajan – Mukeria, Raghunath Rana — Dasuya, Tikshan Sood — Hoshiarpur, Puran Chand — Jalalabad, Surjit Jyani — Fazilka, Arun Narang — Abohar, Arvind Khanna — Sangrur.
