BJP leader Pandey quits party in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Oct 31 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh State Finance Commission's former chairman Virendra Pandey today quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as he was peeved over not being granted an Assembly poll ticket.

After the BJP announced candidates for the last 12 of the total 90 seats, Mr Pandey dispatched his resignation to BJP state President Vishnudeo Sai. Mr Pandey had sought a ticket from Jagdalpur, Raipur Rural or Raipur West.

Mr Pandey had taken up cudgels against former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi on several issues and the BJP consequently benefitted. He has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for about four decades and was once an MLA in undivided Madhya Pradesh.

Three days back Mr Pandey declared that he would enter the fray from Raipur West even if denied a ticket. The BJP has fielded Minister of State for Public Works Rajesh Munat from that constituency.

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