Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, has been declared the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for Jamnagar Assembly. Naynaba Jadeja, the cricketer’s sister, is rallying for Congress but has not yet received a ticket.

Polling for the Gujarat assembly is scheduled to be held next month, and the BJP on November 11 announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming elections.

According to sources, Rivaba replaces sitting MLA Dharmendrasingh Jadeja as the BJP candidate for the Jamnagar (North) seat, who was denied a party ticket in this election. Rivaba’s candidacy comes at a time when the BJP is struggling against anti-incumbency opinions in Gujarat, where the party has ruled for the past 27 years.

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Speaking to India Today, Jadeja’s sister expressed her displeasure with the BJP’s decision to enlist her sister-in-law, claiming that it would be detrimental to the saffron party. “I feel if the BJP brings in a new face, the seat will go to the Congress because a new face lacks the experience and understanding of a political cadre,” Naynaba said.

“If the BJP comes with a new face, Congress can snatch the seat of the number 78 assembly. The new face lacks experience and there exists a lack of organisation. Only money cannot win elections. I think if BJP comes with a new face, then Congress will win this seat,” she said.

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Meanwhile, the cricketer went out of his way to support his wife. Ravindra Jadeja congratulated her and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for “believing in her” competence.

“Congratulations to my wife on getting a BJP ticket for the Vidhan Sabha elections. So proud of all the effort and hard work which you have put in. My best wishes to you, may you continue to work for the development of society. I also wish to thank our honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Shri Amit Shah Ji for believing in her abilities and giving her an opportunity to do noble work,” he shared.