The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its latest roster of candidates for the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections on Saturday. Among the notable selections is the nomination of the former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who will be contesting from her traditional stronghold, the Jhalrapatan constituency.

In a surprising turn of events, the party decided to nominate Narpat Singh Rajvi for the Chittorgarh seat, a decision that marks a reversal of their previous stance of not fielding the five-term MLA. Rajvi, who also happens to be the son-in-law of the prominent BJP leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, had faced criticism from a segment of party members. This sudden shift in Rajvi's candidacy is perceived as a strategic move to manage potential damage, particularly following Rajvi's public expression of dissatisfaction and his reference to his family legacy as the basis for his criticism of the party.

Adding another intriguing dimension to the candidate list is the inclusion of Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, a descendant of Maharana Pratap Singh. Mewar recently joined the BJP and is now set to compete for the Nathdwara seat, a constituency won by veteran Congress leader C P Joshi in 2018.

The BJP's list of candidates also features prominent figures such as former State BJP President Satish Poonia, who will be vying for the Amber constituency, a seat he currently holds in the Rajasthan assembly. Additionally, the BJP leader in the assembly, Rajendra Rathore, is among the party's nominees.

With the release of this second list, the BJP has now officially declared 124 candidates for the upcoming November 25 elections, which will determine the composition of the 200-member assembly.

Notably, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje recently met with Assam Governor Gulabchand Kataria in Udaipur, a meeting that raised eyebrows and generated intrigue. Both leaders had expressed feelings of marginalization within their party's top leadership. This unexpected meeting may signal a shift in the political landscape of Mewar. Kataria, who had previously served as Rajasthan's Home Minister, had also sought the Chief Minister candidacy in 2012, which had caused tension with Raje. Despite their past differences, this meeting holds significance in the context of the state's impending assembly elections. Raje's supporters are hopeful that she and her loyalists will be accorded due importance within the BJP, where she holds the position of national vice president. The state tour of Party President JP Nadda will likely address the challenges related to candidate selection.

Kamal Nath to Contest from Chhindwara: Congress Unveils Key Candidates for MP and CG elections

Reactions to Assembly Election Dates, From Preparedness to Strength: Kejriwal