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Ex-IPS Manoj Ninama Joins BJP, Gets Ticket for Aravalli Panchayat Race

The rapid induction signals a push to court tribal voters ahead of Gujarat’s April 26 local body elections.

Overview

  • Ninama, who joined the BJP on Thursday, was named the party’s candidate for the Odh district panchayat seat in Shamlaji taluka of Aravalli.
  • He took voluntary retirement on April 7, weeks before his scheduled superannuation, and said he quit for personal and family reasons.
  • The 59-year-old former police officer hails from Shamlaji, belongs to the Scheduled Tribes community, and last served as inspector general of the Traffic Branch in Gandhinagar.
  • Political observers say his quick move from retirement to a ticket reflects a BJP effort to add administrative credibility and deepen reach in tribal and rural pockets before the April 26 vote, with counting on April 28.
  • The BJP also inducted ex-AAP farmer leader Raju Karpada on Thursday, reinforcing a pre-election drive to broaden support across agrarian and tribal belts.