This Article is From Apr 04, 2019

BJP Changes Jalgaon Candidate, Unmesh Patil Replaces Smita Wagh

Jalgaon, considered a BJP bastion, is the home turf of Maharashtra water resources minister Girish Mahajan.

BJP Changes Jalgaon Candidate, Unmesh Patil Replaces Smita Wagh

Unmesh Patil did not comment on why the candidate was changed.

Mumbai:

The BJP on Thursday changed its Lok Sabha candidate for Jalgaon in North Maharashtra, with its Chalisgaon MLA Unmesh Patil filing nomination papers for the election scheduled for April 23.

Earlier, Member of the Legislative Council and BJP leader Smita Wagh had filed nomination as the party's candidate on March 28.

Mr Patil told PTI that Ms Wagh accompanied him when he filed his papers, but did not comment on why the candidate was changed.

"I filed my nomination today following the party's directive," he added.

"She (Wagh) too is a dedicated party worker. There is no question of her having ill feelings over being asked to withdraw," he said.

Jalgaon, considered a BJP bastion, is the home turf of Maharashtra water resources minister Girish Mahajan.

A BJP source said the decision to replace Ms Wagh was taken after the party realised that Ms Patil has better chances of winning against NCP candidate Gulabrao Patil.

"Some Shiv Sena workers were also unhappy with Wagh's candidature," he said. 

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