BJP, Cong hold meetings for LS candidates

The state BJP on Sunday held a meeting to discuss names of candidates for the 26 Lok Sabha seats. All 26 seats, currently held by the BJP, will go to polls in a single phase on April 23.

The meeting, which took place in Gandhinagar, was attended by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, state Lok Sabha poll in-charge Om Mathur and state unit chief Jitu Vaghani among others.

Names of probable candidates will be discussed for three days after which a final report will be sent to the party high command in Delhi, a leader said on condition of anonymity.

Senior BJP leaders met Sunday to discuss names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Bardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha constituencies, Rupani said in a Facebook post.

"The Lok Sabha election committee met in Gandhinagar. Discussions were held on candidates for the Lok Sabha seats based on input received by party's poll observers," Rupani said.

Rupani said names of probable candidates for Vadodara, Bharuch, Panchmahals, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Valsad, Navsari, Vardoli, Surat, Anand and Kheda Lok Sabha seats were discussed.

Sources said sitting MPs from the 26 seats were discussed on Sunday.

Discussions on rest of the seats will be held on Monday and Tuesday, a party source said.

The opposition Congress also held a meeting on Sunday under the leadership of state unit president Amit Chavda.

Party sources said Congress leaders from Kheda, Kutch and Surendranagar Lok Sabha constituencies were among those who met Chavda.

Discussions were also held on the party's preparations for by-polls in five Assembly constituencies, Congress sources said. PTI