Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP.

After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deceived the people and its report card is in front of the people. There is resentment among the people and they are waiting to vote for the Congress," Pilot said.

It is an important election and there is a wave for the Congress across the state, said Pilot, chief of the party's Rajasthan unit.

Pilot's rival candidate, Yoonus Khan, who is the only Muslim candidate pitted in the election by the saffron party, also filed his nomination on Monday.

"I would not like to comment on caste and religion. I have seen tension on Sachin Pilot's face. We both have come to Tonk for the first time as election nominees," Khan said, adding that he had always accepted his party's decision and was ready to work for the party anywhere in the country.

Khan said he had done various developmental works in Tonk district as a public works department minister in the last five years and the development would remain the issue for him and his party in the upcoming election.

Earlier in the day, the BJP released its fifth list of six candidates, fielding Khan against Pilot in the Muslim-dominated Tonk Assembly constituency by replacing sitting MLA Ajit Singh Mehta.

After the Congress fielded Pilot in Tonk, the BJP did brainstorming and replaced Mehta, who figured in the first list issued last week.

Khan is a sitting MLA from Deedwana constituency of Nagaur district and his name was kept reserved by the party till the last moment.

The state will go to polls on December 7.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP. After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the Assembly election in the state is a fight between the ideologies of his party and the BJP. After filing his nomination from the Tonk assembly seat, Pilot said the Congress would not only win the election in Tonk, but also the entire state with a sizeable margin. "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deceived the people and its report card is in front of the people. There is resentment among the people and they are waiting to vote for the Congress," Pilot said. It is an important election and there is a wave for the Congress across the state, said Pilot, chief of the party's Rajasthan unit. Pilot's rival candidate, Yoonus Khan, who is the only Muslim candidate pitted in the election by the saffron party, also filed his nomination on Monday. "I would not like to comment on caste and religion. I have seen tension on Sachin Pilot's face. We both have come to Tonk for the first time as election nominees," Khan said, adding that he had always accepted his party's decision and was ready to work for the party anywhere in the country. Khan said he had done various developmental works in Tonk district as a public works department minister in the last five years and the development would remain the issue for him and his party in the upcoming election. Earlier in the day, the BJP released its fifth list of six candidates, fielding Khan against Pilot in the Muslim-dominated Tonk Assembly constituency by replacing sitting MLA Ajit Singh Mehta. After the Congress fielded Pilot in Tonk, the BJP did brainstorming and replaced Mehta, who figured in the first list issued last week. Khan is a sitting MLA from Deedwana constituency of Nagaur district and his name was kept reserved by the party till the last moment. The state will go to polls on December 7.

Sachin Pilot files nomination, says Rajasthan election fight between two ideologies

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot on Thursday said that it was up to the party high command to decide from where he would be contesting the December 7 assembly elections.

On Wednesday, the Congress had announced that former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot would be contesting the ensuing Rajasthan Assembly elections.

Ever since the announcement was made, the party workers from Jaipur, Bhilwara, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Bundi, Kota, and Tonk among others have been urging Pilot to contest from their areas.

However, Pilot stated that he had left the final decision on the party high command.

"It is the party's decision that I have to contest the elections. I am a diligent party worker. I have left the decision of choosing my constituency to the party," Pilot told ANI.

He further said that the party has done a lot of brainstorming over the list of candidates which will be out soon.

"It is a good sign that most of the leaders and party workers have agreed to the names the party has decided upon," he said.

Reacting to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Harish Meena's decision to quit the ruling party and join the Congress, Pilot said, "If the senior leaders like Meena are so unhappy with the BJP, one can imagine about the plight of common people."

The assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place in a single phase for all 200 seats on December 7.

The counting of votes will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot on Thursday said that it was up to the party high command to decide from where he would be contesting the December 7 assembly elections.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot on Thursday said that it was up to the party high command to decide from where he would be contesting the December 7 assembly elections. On Wednesday, the Congress had announced that former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot would be contesting the ensuing Rajasthan Assembly elections. Ever since the announcement was made, the party workers from Jaipur, Bhilwara, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Bundi, Kota, and Tonk among others have been urging Pilot to contest from their areas. However, Pilot stated that he had left the final decision on the party high command. "It is the party's decision that I have to contest the elections. I am a diligent party worker. I have left the decision of choosing my constituency to the party," Pilot told ANI. He further said that the party has done a lot of brainstorming over the list of candidates which will be out soon. "It is a good sign that most of the leaders and party workers have agreed to the names the party has decided upon," he said. Reacting to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Harish Meena's decision to quit the ruling party and join the Congress, Pilot said, "If the senior leaders like Meena are so unhappy with the BJP, one can imagine about the plight of common people." The assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place in a single phase for all 200 seats on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Rajasthan polls: 'Party to decide my constituency', says Sachin Pilot

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll.

The BJP released its first list of 131 candidates on Sunday, following a Central Election Committee meeting, wherein Goyal was confirmed to have been replaced by Avinash Gehlot for Jaitaran constituency.

Goyal, a five-time MLA from the seat, submitted his resignation letter to the state unit party president Madanlal Saini. He was the state's Water Resources Minister.

The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the ensuing assembly polls. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003.

The assembly polls in the state will take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. The BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the last Assembly polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister in Rajasthan government, Surendra Goyal, submitted his resignation from the party on Monday, a day after he was denied the ticket to contest the state assembly poll. The BJP released its first list of 131 candidates on Sunday, following a Central Election Committee meeting, wherein Goyal was confirmed to have been replaced by Avinash Gehlot for Jaitaran constituency. Goyal, a five-time MLA from the seat, submitted his resignation letter to the state unit party president Madanlal Saini. He was the state's Water Resources Minister. The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the ensuing assembly polls. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003. The assembly polls in the state will take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. The BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the last Assembly polls.

Denied ticket, Rajasthan BJP leader Surendra Goyal quits party

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.

Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party.

The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election.

In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket.

The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP.

The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues.

The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat.

The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes.

From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district.

The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas.

The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government.

If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics. Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party. The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election. In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket. The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP. The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues. The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat. The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes. From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district. The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas. The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government. If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.

Dynasty politics? BJP fields kin of several leaders in Rajasthan polls

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money.

"Naam bade kaam khote, ticket ke liye lete hai daam mote (Big names involved in lowly deeds. They charge hefty sums for election tickets)," Shekhawat said at a press conference in Jaipur.

The Congress, however, rubbished the allegations, with its state unit in-charge Sachin Pilot blaming opponents for conspiring against the party.

"The allegations of discrimination in adding the names of candidates are baseless. All office bearers are working actively and doing hard work. The allegations related to ticket distribution in the media are baseless," he told reporters.

Briefing about the BJP's door-to-door campaign, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shekhawat said party workers had communicated the BJP's views at 42,688 out of the total 51,844 booths during its "Booth Mahasampark Abhiyan" and reached out to nearly 70 lakh families.

He said that the party would hold direct talks with the people across the state from November 8 to 11.

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money.

Ahead of ticket distribution in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday accused the Congress of selling election tickets for money. "Naam bade kaam khote, ticket ke liye lete hai daam mote (Big names involved in lowly deeds. They charge hefty sums for election tickets)," Shekhawat said at a press conference in Jaipur. The Congress, however, rubbished the allegations, with its state unit in-charge Sachin Pilot blaming opponents for conspiring against the party. "The allegations of discrimination in adding the names of candidates are baseless. All office bearers are working actively and doing hard work. The allegations related to ticket distribution in the media are baseless," he told reporters. Briefing about the BJP's door-to-door campaign, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shekhawat said party workers had communicated the BJP's views at 42,688 out of the total 51,844 booths during its "Booth Mahasampark Abhiyan" and reached out to nearly 70 lakh families. He said that the party would hold direct talks with the people across the state from November 8 to 11.

Rajasthan elections: Union minister Shekhawat accuses Congress of selling election tickets

Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail.

Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said, "It is inappropriate for a party, which is neck-deep in corruption and has a history of being mired in corruption cases for the last three generations, to talk about corruption. Leaders of the Congress, whose chief is out on bail, are insulting people by making such statements."

Shekhawat said Congress leaders were trying to create confusion among the people of the state ahead of the December 7 assembly election.

He was responding to Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla's remarks on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Earlier in the day, Shukla attacked the Centre alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also alleged that the BJP-led state government pushed Rajasthan into 'BIMARU' category and conditions of employment, roads, education, health and water facilities in the state were poor.

Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh used to be called 'BIMARU' states for lack of development.

Shekhawat said Rajasthan was no more a 'BIMARU' state and the BJP dispensation worked to take the state on the path of progress.

He blamed the Congress for stalling the appointment process of 26,000 teachers by complaining to the Election Commission.

Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail.

Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail. Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said, "It is inappropriate for a party, which is neck-deep in corruption and has a history of being mired in corruption cases for the last three generations, to talk about corruption. Leaders of the Congress, whose chief is out on bail, are insulting people by making such statements." Shekhawat said Congress leaders were trying to create confusion among the people of the state ahead of the December 7 assembly election. He was responding to Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla's remarks on the Rafale fighter jet deal. Earlier in the day, Shukla attacked the Centre alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also alleged that the BJP-led state government pushed Rajasthan into 'BIMARU' category and conditions of employment, roads, education, health and water facilities in the state were poor. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh used to be called 'BIMARU' states for lack of development. Shekhawat said Rajasthan was no more a 'BIMARU' state and the BJP dispensation worked to take the state on the path of progress. He blamed the Congress for stalling the appointment process of 26,000 teachers by complaining to the Election Commission.

Congress has history of corruption: Union minister hits back at Rajeev Shukla

Former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal on Monday launched &nbsp;Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) here and claimed that the outfit in alliance with other "like-minded" parties will emerge as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress in the December 7 Assembly election in Rajasthan.

Bharat Vahini Party (BVP) president and former BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari extended support to the RLP at a rally here to announce the formation of the new party where national vice president of Rashtriya Lokdal (RLD) Jayant Chaudhary and member of national executive of Samajwadi Party Sanjay Lathar were also present.

"We would associate with like-minded people in the state which are unhappy with the Congress and BJP governments. Both the parties have been involved in corruption. Welfare of poor, farmer and, youths were not their focus. It is a fight to change the system and not for any chair," Beniwal, who is an independent legislator from Khinvsar Assembly seat, said while addressing the 'Kisan Hunkar Rally'.&nbsp;

He said that symbol of the RLP is 'bottle' "signifying transparency in its functioning".

He said that the complete farm loan waiver, jobs to youths, unemployment allowance, free electricity, toll-free highways and implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendation for farmer welfare would be the focus of the new party.&nbsp;

Beniwal and&nbsp;Tiwari had been at loggerheads with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over a number of issues, including agriculture distress. Beniwal was elected on BJP ticket in 2008 from Khinvsar and later as an independent candidate in 2013. He has had held rallies in Barmer, Sikar, Bikaner and Nagaur in past few months.

Tiwari was education minister in Raje government in 2003-2008 BJP government. However, in 2013 he criticised Raje dispensation inside and outside the Assembly on issues such as "farmers' plight", demand of reservation for the upper caste and corruption. He was issued notice by BJP's national disciplinary committee last year after which he quit the party to form a new political party.

Addressing the rally, Tiwari alleged that BJP led government in the state had worked against the farmers.&nbsp;

"We have come together to establish truth and honesty in politics. The new political formation in the state would end institutionalised corruption in the state. Congress and BJP both have pushed the state in BIMARU category during their rule. We would make efforts that votes of third front are nor divides,"&nbsp; Tiwari said.

Former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal on Monday launched Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) here and claimed that the outfit in alliance with other "like-minded" parties will emerge as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress in the December 7 Assembly election in Rajasthan.

Former BJP leader Hanuman Beniwal on Monday launched Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) here and claimed that the outfit in alliance with other "like-minded" parties will emerge as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress in the December 7 Assembly election in Rajasthan. Bharat Vahini Party (BVP) president and former BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari extended support to the RLP at a rally here to announce the formation of the new party where national vice president of Rashtriya Lokdal (RLD) Jayant Chaudhary and member of national executive of Samajwadi Party Sanjay Lathar were also present. "We would associate with like-minded people in the state which are unhappy with the Congress and BJP governments. Both the parties have been involved in corruption. Welfare of poor, farmer and, youths were not their focus. It is a fight to change the system and not for any chair," Beniwal, who is an independent legislator from Khinvsar Assembly seat, said while addressing the 'Kisan Hunkar Rally'. He said that symbol of the RLP is 'bottle' "signifying transparency in its functioning". He said that the complete farm loan waiver, jobs to youths, unemployment allowance, free electricity, toll-free highways and implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendation for farmer welfare would be the focus of the new party. Beniwal and Tiwari had been at loggerheads with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over a number of issues, including agriculture distress. Beniwal was elected on BJP ticket in 2008 from Khinvsar and later as an independent candidate in 2013. He has had held rallies in Barmer, Sikar, Bikaner and Nagaur in past few months. Tiwari was education minister in Raje government in 2003-2008 BJP government. However, in 2013 he criticised Raje dispensation inside and outside the Assembly on issues such as "farmers' plight", demand of reservation for the upper caste and corruption. He was issued notice by BJP's national disciplinary committee last year after which he quit the party to form a new political party. Addressing the rally, Tiwari alleged that BJP led government in the state had worked against the farmers. "We have come together to establish truth and honesty in politics. The new political formation in the state would end institutionalised corruption in the state. Congress and BJP both have pushed the state in BIMARU category during their rule. We would make efforts that votes of third front are nor divides," Tiwari said.

Ahead of Rajasthan polls, former BJP leader launches new party

Two images on the Internet must have jolted the BJP out of reverie. Manvendra Singh – BJP MLA from Sheo – is common in both the frames. In one of the photos, he is seen clasping the hand of Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, barely concealing the smile after having formally joined the party on Wednesday. In the next photo, Manvendra’s smile opens up into a warm laughter as he shares the dais with Rajasthan state Congress President Sachin Pilot who appear to be basking in the reflected warmth of the new entrant in the frame, confident the Rajput leader shall deliver the goods in a state gearing up for December 7 polls.

Former BJP MP from Barmer, Colonel Manvendra Singh’s calling card is as much about him as his father and veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh. The former Union Minister, who distinguished himself in the role of External Affairs, Defence and Finance Minister under the Prime Ministership of AB Vajpayee, is now in a coma after having suffered head injuries following a fall in his house four years ago.

A founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, Jaswant Singh has been five times Rajya Sabha MP and was elected to the Lok Sabha four times over. But his distance with the BJP grew after the party’s defeat in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. He was given party ticket from Darjeeling and left to fend for himself. His book on India’s Partition in which he praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah didn’t go down well with the party either.

Matters came to a head in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he was denied party ticket. But Jaswant dug in his heels and decided to contest the 2014 elections from Barmer as an independent. The party lost no time in expelling him after he refused to budge. Manvendra campaigned for his father and even he was suspended from the party.

The seed of antagonism had already been sown then. Questions can be raised as to what took Manvendra so long in deciding BJP was not the party that can assure his longevity in politics. But can there be a better opportunity to join a rival party whose ascendancy and win in the forthcoming assembly polls is finding articulation in various opinion polls conducted by media houses so far.

A leader is worth his salt only if he can smell the change in the wind. A winnable candidate holds a stronger chance of being welcomed into the new party. BJP president Amit Shah has mastered this craft better than the rest in importing leaders from other parties, particularly the Congress.

Manvendra’s entry into the Congress comes at a time when the forthcoming assembly polls in states like Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh are being touted as the semi-finals before the finals to be played out across the country early 2019 when the next Lok Sabha elections will be held. The Congress feels his induction will help the party consolidate Rajput votes.

But more than the timing, it’s the sure-fire optimism with which Manvendra has sought to pitch himself that will set the Rajasthan battlefield on the course of a dramatic outcome. “The voters shall seek revenge for the humiliation of their leader and my father,” thundered Manvendra from Congress HQ at Akbar Road. Revenge is in the air. The statement might faintly echo the pain and agony of the protagonist, from Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur.

The political setting is far removed from the 2012 Bollywoodian drama, yet it carries the ingredients for a blockbuster.

Caste politics hold sway in the electoral arithmetic of Rajasthan. Though Rajputs constitutes about 8 per cent of the total votes in Rajasthan, they influence votes in about one-fourth of the total seats in Rajasthan, particularly, in the Marwar region of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Jalore and Sikar. The current Rajasthan assembly has 26 elected Rajput members out of 200 seats. Together with Jats, who constitute about 17 per cent of total votes, Rajput votes matter in over 50 assembly seats across Rajasthan.

The Vasundhara government has had a fallout with the Rajput voters following the death of gangster Anand Pal Singh who was killed in an alleged police encounter. Rajputs have been BJP supporters in the past three decades after former Rajasthan CM, BJP veteran and former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat carefully nurtured this influential vote bank. Rajputs were angry that the Vasundhara Raje government did precious little to withdraw criminal cases against community leaders.

The shift in Rajput votes has already cost BJP two parliamentary seats in by-elections held last February. Recently, Raje shot down Amit Shah’s proposal to make Union Minister – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – the Rajasthan unit chief. She foisted her own candidate Madan Lal Saini, an OBC leader.

By inducting Manvendra into the fold, the Congress has been quick to cash in on the Rajput anger. The Congress seemed to have already taken Jats into confidence by addressing their insecurities. Gujjars also remain an influential vote bank. Of late, even Gujjars seem to have moved away from the BJP. The community sees a promise in young Gujjar leader and Congress state president Sachin Pilot to lead the state in future.

If opinion polls are anything to go by, Raje’s popularity as CM has been at an all-time low. Given Rajasthan’s history in the past three decades of not repeating the incumbent government, Raje, in the throes of anti-incumbency, has an uphill task.

Will the Rajasthan verdict prove Manvendra’s presence prophetic? Will he be able to bask in the glory of his statement he gave last month, the day he cut his umbilical cord with BJP – Kamal ka phool, hamari bhool. The bigger question still is – Will Rahul’s gamble pay off? Will be able to do an Amit Shah?

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-rajasthan-s-caste-cauldron-2676800">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Two images on the Internet must have jolted the BJP out of reverie. Manvendra Singh – BJP MLA from Sheo – is common in both the frames. In one of the photos, he is seen clasping the hand of Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, barely concealing the smile after having formally joined the party on Wednesday.

Two images on the Internet must have jolted the BJP out of reverie. Manvendra Singh – BJP MLA from Sheo – is common in both the frames. In one of the photos, he is seen clasping the hand of Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, barely concealing the smile after having formally joined the party on Wednesday. In the next photo, Manvendra’s smile opens up into a warm laughter as he shares the dais with Rajasthan state Congress President Sachin Pilot who appear to be basking in the reflected warmth of the new entrant in the frame, confident the Rajput leader shall deliver the goods in a state gearing up for December 7 polls. Former BJP MP from Barmer, Colonel Manvendra Singh’s calling card is as much about him as his father and veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh. The former Union Minister, who distinguished himself in the role of External Affairs, Defence and Finance Minister under the Prime Ministership of AB Vajpayee, is now in a coma after having suffered head injuries following a fall in his house four years ago. A founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, Jaswant Singh has been five times Rajya Sabha MP and was elected to the Lok Sabha four times over. But his distance with the BJP grew after the party’s defeat in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. He was given party ticket from Darjeeling and left to fend for himself. His book on India’s Partition in which he praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah didn’t go down well with the party either. Matters came to a head in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he was denied party ticket. But Jaswant dug in his heels and decided to contest the 2014 elections from Barmer as an independent. The party lost no time in expelling him after he refused to budge. Manvendra campaigned for his father and even he was suspended from the party. The seed of antagonism had already been sown then. Questions can be raised as to what took Manvendra so long in deciding BJP was not the party that can assure his longevity in politics. But can there be a better opportunity to join a rival party whose ascendancy and win in the forthcoming assembly polls is finding articulation in various opinion polls conducted by media houses so far. A leader is worth his salt only if he can smell the change in the wind. A winnable candidate holds a stronger chance of being welcomed into the new party. BJP president Amit Shah has mastered this craft better than the rest in importing leaders from other parties, particularly the Congress. Manvendra’s entry into the Congress comes at a time when the forthcoming assembly polls in states like Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh are being touted as the semi-finals before the finals to be played out across the country early 2019 when the next Lok Sabha elections will be held. The Congress feels his induction will help the party consolidate Rajput votes. But more than the timing, it’s the sure-fire optimism with which Manvendra has sought to pitch himself that will set the Rajasthan battlefield on the course of a dramatic outcome. “The voters shall seek revenge for the humiliation of their leader and my father,” thundered Manvendra from Congress HQ at Akbar Road. Revenge is in the air. The statement might faintly echo the pain and agony of the protagonist, from Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur. The political setting is far removed from the 2012 Bollywoodian drama, yet it carries the ingredients for a blockbuster. Caste politics hold sway in the electoral arithmetic of Rajasthan. Though Rajputs constitutes about 8 per cent of the total votes in Rajasthan, they influence votes in about one-fourth of the total seats in Rajasthan, particularly, in the Marwar region of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Jalore and Sikar. The current Rajasthan assembly has 26 elected Rajput members out of 200 seats. Together with Jats, who constitute about 17 per cent of total votes, Rajput votes matter in over 50 assembly seats across Rajasthan. The Vasundhara government has had a fallout with the Rajput voters following the death of gangster Anand Pal Singh who was killed in an alleged police encounter. Rajputs have been BJP supporters in the past three decades after former Rajasthan CM, BJP veteran and former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat carefully nurtured this influential vote bank. Rajputs were angry that the Vasundhara Raje government did precious little to withdraw criminal cases against community leaders. The shift in Rajput votes has already cost BJP two parliamentary seats in by-elections held last February. Recently, Raje shot down Amit Shah’s proposal to make Union Minister – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – the Rajasthan unit chief. She foisted her own candidate Madan Lal Saini, an OBC leader. By inducting Manvendra into the fold, the Congress has been quick to cash in on the Rajput anger. The Congress seemed to have already taken Jats into confidence by addressing their insecurities. Gujjars also remain an influential vote bank. Of late, even Gujjars seem to have moved away from the BJP. The community sees a promise in young Gujjar leader and Congress state president Sachin Pilot to lead the state in future. If opinion polls are anything to go by, Raje’s popularity as CM has been at an all-time low. Given Rajasthan’s history in the past three decades of not repeating the incumbent government, Raje, in the throes of anti-incumbency, has an uphill task. Will the Rajasthan verdict prove Manvendra’s presence prophetic? Will he be able to bask in the glory of his statement he gave last month, the day he cut his umbilical cord with BJP – Kamal ka phool, hamari bhool. The bigger question still is – Will Rahul’s gamble pay off? Will be able to do an Amit Shah? (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Caste politics hold sway in the electoral arithmetic of Rajasthan

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