ML Khattar enters BJP’s second Lok Sabha list after resigning as chief minister

Mr Khattar served as chief minister for nearly a decade.

New Delhi:

A day after resigning as Haryana chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar today appeared in the BJP’s second list of 72 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections . The 69-year-old MP will contest from Karnal in Haryana from which he had earlier resigned as MP.

Khattar, who served as chief minister for nearly a decade, announced his resignation after the current government led by Nayab Saini won a vote of confidence. In an emotional speech, Mr. Khattar expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the House and reiterated that he will continue to serve the people of Haryana.

Prominent names named in the BJP’s second list include Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Anurag Singh Thakura Anurag Singh Thakur, as well as former chief ministers Khattar, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Basavaraj Bommai. Anil Baluni, the party’s chief spokesperson and member of the Lok Sabha, has been nominated as the candidate from Garhwal in Uttarakhand.

In Delhi, the BJP has inducted two new faces for the upcoming elections – Harsh Malhotra from east Delhi and Yogendra Chandolia from north-west Delhi ). Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will contest from Dharwad, while BS Yediyurappa’s son BY Raghavendra will represent the party in Shimoga. Tejasvi Surya will seek re-election in Bengaluru South.

Yaduveer Krishnadatta Wadir, a member of the Mysuru royal family, has emerged as the BJP candidate for the Mysore seat, replacing Pratap Simha.

Earlier this month, the BJP announced a preliminary list of more than 190 candidates.