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The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat has unveiled the names of six candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, completing its roster for all 26 constituencies set for elections on May 7.

In a late-night announcement on Sunday, the party revealed its latest list, which notably includes new faces for Vadodara and Sabarkantha, where previous nominees withdrew from the race.

Among the dropped incumbents is Minister of State for AYUSH and Child Development Mahendra Munjpara, ousted from the Surendranagar seat. Additionally, sitting MPs Ranjan Bhatt and Bhikhaji Thakor withdrew from Vadodara and Sabarkantha, respectively.

Hemang Joshi and Shobna Baraiya will now represent the BJP in Vadodara and Sabarkantha, respectively, filling the void left by Bhatt and Thakor. Joshi serves as the vice-chairman of the Municipal School Board of Vadodara Municipal Corporation, while Baraiya is the wife of a former BJP MLA from Prantij.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Chudasama will continue his tenure as the BJP's candidate in Junagadh, marking his third consecutive bid for the Lok Sabha.

In a strategic move, Chandu Shihora has replaced Munjpara in Surendranagar. Formerly the president of the Morbi municipality, Shihora now carries the party's banner in this constituency.

Hari Patel, hailing from Unjha town, will contest from Mehsana, taking over from Sardaben Patel. Patel brings with him a strong background as a party worker.

In Amreli, Bharat Sutariya steps in for three-term MP Naran Kachhadiya. Currently serving as the president of the Amreli district panchayat, Sutariya is set to make his mark in this constituency.

On the opposition front, the Congress has declared 17 candidates out of the 24 seats it aims to contest in Gujarat. The party has allotted two seats, Bharuch and Bhavnagar, to its ally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as part of the INDIA bloc partnership, with AAP already naming its candidates for both constituencies.

Notably, the BJP secured victory in all 26 seats in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, cementing its stronghold in the state.