Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Former Gujarat Dy CM Nitin Patel withdraws from Mehsana; Here's why

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Patel announced on Sunday his withdrawal from the contention for the Mehsana Lok Sabha seat. Patel took to social media to share his decision, stating that he had earlier staked a claim for the Mehsana seat but opted out before the BJP announced its candidate for the constituency.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Withdrawal announcement

In his social media post, Patel expressed his withdrawal from the Mehsana seat without specifying the reason behind his decision. The BJP is yet to officially declare the contestant from Mehsana.

Patel, who has never contested a Lok Sabha election before, made the announcement preemptively before the BJP finalized its candidate selection process for the constituency.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's nomination process

The BJP recently unveiled its first list of 195 nominees, including 15 from Gujarat, which holds 26 Lok Sabha seats. While the selection process for the Mehsana Lok Sabha candidate is ongoing, Patel gracefully withdrew his claim, expressing his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure a third consecutive term.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Patel's acknowledgment, political background

In his statement, the 68-year-old BJP stalwart extended gratitude to party workers, supporters, and colleagues. Notably, Mehsana holds significance as the home district of PM Modi and has remained a stronghold for the BJP since 1984, except for two instances.

Patel, who served as the deputy chief minister under Narendra Modi and Anandiben Patel, held pivotal portfolios like finance and revenue during his tenure. Despite being a six-time MLA, Patel opted out of contesting the 2022 assembly elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Decoding BJP's electoral strategy in Gujarat

The BJP's decision to drop five sitting MPs while announcing candidates for 15 seats in Gujarat underscores a strategic reshuffle within the party. The nominees for the remaining 11 constituencies are yet to be disclosed, indicating an intriguing political landscape ahead of the elections.

As the electoral saga unfolds, Nitin Patel's withdrawal marks a notable development in Gujarat's political narrative.