New Delhi, April 1: Thushar Vellappally of the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) will contest against Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. BDJS is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Thushar Vellappally's candidature from Wayanad parliamentary constituency was announced by BJP President Amit Shah on Twitter on Monday.

"I proudly announce Shri Thushar Vellappally, President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena as NDA candidate from Wayanad (Kerala)," Shah tweeted. The BJP chief described Thushar as "vibrant and dynamic youth leader". "He represents our commitment towards development and social justice. With him, NDA will emerge as Kerala's political alternative," Shah said. Rahul Gandhi to Contest From Wayanad: Furious CPM Vows to Defeat Congress President in Lok Sabha Election 2019.

Amit Shah's tweet:

This came a day after the Congress party announced that its president Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, apart from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Wayanad has been a Congress safe seat. As per the seat-sharing agreement between Left parties, the Wayanad seat has been allocated to the Communist Party of India (CPI) and it has fielded PP Suneer as their candidate.

In the last two Lok Sabha elections, M I Shanawaz of the Congress won the seat, defeating the Communist Party of India (CPI). Kerala is slated to go to the polls on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha candidates. Gandhi, who has been representing Amethi, won the seat by a reduced margin in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls by defeating Union Minister Smriti Irani and she is challenging him again in the constituency in the 2019 elections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2019 03:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).