New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday announced the second list of candidates for Rajasthan assembly polls, dropping 12 sitting MLAs, including two ministers, and fielding 20 first timers in its bid to continue in power in the state.

"Two ministers Babulal Verma and Bhavani Joshi are among the 12 sitting MLAs denied tickets in the second list of candidates announced for Rajasthan on Thursday. These changes have been made based on political and ground realities. Some have missed tickets due to delimitation," party General Secretary and state in-charge Gopinath Munde said here.

The list also consists of 20 new faces and 9 women. Party also announced four seats, Kushalgarh, Bagidora, Kotputli and Tijara for its ally JD(U).

"Four seats have been given to JD(U). Seats would also be spared for INLD. While we have announced sitting MP Dhansingh Rawat for Banswara, we have not concluded seat-sharing discussion with JD(U), it could also be changed," Munde said.

The saffron party suffered a jolt in its campaign with its Bharatpur MP Vishvendra Singh leaving the party alleging "sale of tickets in Rajasthan".

"Party has fielded 20 youngsters in the polls who are below 40 years of age. Till now we have announced 24 female candidates of which nine are in the second list," Munde said.

"We would have at least one women candidate in each of the Lok Sabha constituency after all the 200 seats are declared. Todays list figures seven schedule tribe and nine schedule caste candidates," he added.

The Central Election Committee(CEC) which met here on Thursday under the leadership of party chief Rajnath Singh would meet again on Friday to decide upon the remaining seats.

Polling for the 200-member Rajasthan assembly would be held on December 4.
Source : DNA