BJP's Sona Ram vs Jaswant Singh in Barmer

Jaipur: A total of 39 candidates, including senior BJP leaders Jaswant Singh and MP Dushyant Singh, filed their nomination papers in Rajasthan, taking the total number of nominations filed for the first phase of polls in the state to 72 so far.

Jaswant Singh, who was denied ticket by BJP from Barmer LS seat, filed his papers from the constituency as an Independent candidate against Col Sona Ram fielded by the party, according to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here.

Dushyant Singh, sitting BJP MP from Jhalawar-Baran LS seat and son of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, filed his papers from the constituency.

BJP's Nihal Chand filed his papers from Sriganganagar, C R Choudhary and Ramlal Choudhary from Nagaur, Arjunlal Meena from Udaipur and Manshankar from Banswara seats.

Congress' Shankarlal filed his papers from Bikaner and Gopal Singh Shekhawat from Rajsamand.

Dr Virendra Singh, eminent asthma specialist and former superintendent of SMS Hospital filed his papers as an AAP candidate from Jaipur LS seat.

So far 72 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the first phase of polls on 20 LS seats on April 17, according to the CEO.

The nomination exercise will continue till March 26. The scrutiny of papers will take place on March 27 and withdrawal of nomination would be allowed by March 29.

In the first phase of elections, Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur-rural, Jaipur, Ajmer, Nagaur, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran will go to polls.

In the second phase, Alwar, Bharatpur Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Tonk-Sawaimadhopur will go to polls on April 24.

Election notification for this phase will be issued on March 29.