The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced Swaran Singh Salaria as its candidate for the Gurdaspur bye-poll in Punjab on October 11. The bye-poll has been necessitated after the death of BJP MP and actor Vinod Khanna on April 27.

Salaria is a Mumbai-based businessman who hails from Chauhana village in Gurdaspur, reported the Hindustan Times. He is a member of the BJP’s national executive, and the former chairperson of the Punjab state commission for protection of child rights.

The Aam Aadmi Party has fielded retired Army officer Major General Suresh Khajuria for the seat. The Congress has announced the name of Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar for the bye-poll.

The results of the bye-poll will be declared on October 15.