Shobhna Baraiya

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) announced its fifth list with four new and two revised candidates for Gujarat in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. This revelation drew striking opposition from the revised Sabarkantha seat, where the party has now decided to field Shobhna Baraiya, the wife of a Congress defector.

It is noteworthy that the BJP’s previous choice for the seat, Bhikhaji Thakor, decided to withdraw his name.

Over Shobhna’s candidature, Himmatnagar taluka panchayat member Jitendrasinh reportedly wrote a letter expressing his opposition. He mentioned, “The BJP has given a ticket to a candidate who is not a BJP worker. Why was the ticket given to the worker’s wife instead of the member himself? Shobhaben is not a party worker; her husband is. There is a demand to give a ticket to a female party worker here. If Kaushalya Kunwarba is not the choice, then give the ticket to someone else. Shobhaben has not done any work for the party.”

Shobhna is the wife of Mahendrasinh Baraiya, a Congress turncoat and former Prantij MLA who joined the BJP in 2022.

Shobhna has replied to the outrage among BJP workers with, “If anyone is upset, the matter will be discussed with the organisation, and we will remove this resentment. I have joined the BJP with 5,000 people, including my husband.”

Bhikhaji Thakor’s withdrawal from Sabarkantha seat

Earlier, Bhikhaji Thakor was to contest the general elections from Sabarkantha. However, Thakor announced not to contest the elections.

A post was also reported to have done the rounds on social media claiming that Thakor is eyeing joining Congress.

Over which, he clarified, “I am not leaving the BJP and joining any other party. The talks around joining Congress are mere rumours.”

Thakor’s surname (caste) was also a part of a controversy coinciding with the announcement of his candidature.

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