Key Contestant: Paresh Rawal

Actor-turned-politician Paresh Rawal is the BJP's candidate from Ahmedabad (East). He replaces Harin Pathak, a seven-term MP considered close to Mr Advani. Mr Pathak had to yield place to the popular actor in the face of stiff opposition from the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

Constituency: Ahmedabad (East)
Party: BJP
Age: 59
Education: Class 12
Assets: Rs 795,211,576