Rajasthan’s electoral sphere has witnessed several changes in candidates ahead of the state’s assembly elections, continuing even up until nominations were filed. Several political leaders on both sides, upset at not receiving a party ticket, have joined other parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have witnessed the most upheaval. The BJP cancelled the tickets of 33 ministers, while the Congress cancelled the tickets of 18 ministers and MLAs.
On Sunday, as soon as Congress MLA from Bari Giriraj Singh Malinga joined the BJP, the Congress welcomed former BJP MP Colonel Sonaram Chaudhary, Bhagirat Chaudhary—who was BJP’s candidate from Khinvsar in 2018—and Prashant Singh Parmar, who was seeking ticket from BJP from Bari, joined Congress. Notably, Colonel Sonaram Chaudhary returned to the Congress after 10 years.
Earlier, youth leader Ravindra Singh Bhati, who joined the Rajasthan BJP recently, rebelled against the party and filed an independent nomination from the Barmer district.
In about 33 seats, rebels from both parties will now be contesting against party candidates. Pertinently, Thursday, 9 November is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
In an interesting development, the BJP has entrusted former CM Vasundhara Raje with the responsibility of convincing Rajpal Singh Shekhawat to return to the party; Shekhawat filed an independent nomination from Jhotwara and was counted among those closest to Raje. Raje’s three close aides Rajpal, Ashok Parnami, and Yunus Khan did not receive tickets this time. Meanwhile, Bhupendra Yadav has been given the responsibility of Tijara, and Rajendra Rathod has been given the responsibility of the Chittorgarh seat. State in-charge Arun Singh, Organisation General Secretary Chandrashekhar, and senior leader Ghanshyam Tiwari have also joined the rebels. The rebels will also be contacted by local leaders and district heads.
The party had also formed a damage control committee comprising Kailash Chaudhary, Rajendra Gehlot and Narayan Panchariya. However, they have been unable to convince the rebels to return. Jalam Singh Rawlot and Tarun Rai Kaga are contesting on a Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) ticket.
While the BJP is currently mollifying 33 rebels, the party’s numbers are also growing. According to the BJP, several leaders from the Congress and other parties have joined the party since they are disillusioned by “false promises and policies”.
On Wednesday, many leaders including Vishnu Lata, former mayor of Jaipur, Sunita Bhati, AICC member and former Congress MLA candidate from Jaisalmer, Rajesh Mandia, the RLP’s chief spokesperson, joined the BJP.
BJP State President CP Joshi said, “Having faith in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people are being drawn to the BJP. Congress has betrayed the people of the state due to which there is pain and tension in the minds of the people.”
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has also broken his silence on the reshuffle. He said that the strength of the BJP will increase with the people who have joined the BJP today.
“The guarantee of this Congress government has failed, and in Rajasthan, the one whose guarantee fails once does not get a second chance. The public has understood the tactics, character and face of Congress. The public will not give another chance to those who commit corruption.”
This time, Congress cancelled the tickets of 18 ministers and MLAs in the assembly elections. Now two of them will contest as independents and one has joined the BJP.
Among the MLAs, two are contesting with other party tickets. On Sunday, MLA Girraj Singh Malinga switched sides, joining the BJP.
