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Natwar Singh's son faces tough contest

By Gargi Parsai

Lakshmangarh, (Rajasthan), Nov. 25. Congress leader Natwar Singh's son, Jagat Singh, is locked in a fierce three-cornered fight from this constituency in Alwar district. Mr. Natwar Singh has been appealing to the electorate to give a chance for his son to "complete the tasks left unfinished by him."

Mr. Jagat Singh faces strong candidates in Dharamvir Sharma (BJP), who as an independent had polled 23,000 votes in the 1998 Assembly election, and Nasru Khan (INLD), who may corner a majority of the Meo (Muslim) votes.

The Scheduled Castes (35,000) and the Scheduled Tribe caste of Meena (16,000) constitute the largest chunk of voters followed by Jats (30,000), Meo (25,000), Brahmins (22,000), Vaishyas (18,000) , Gujjars (16,000), Maalis (16,000) , Yadavs (8,000) and Rajputs.

Although the support pattern varies from village to village, it looks as if the Jat vote will be split among the Congress, the INLD and the Rashtriya Lok Dal's Jat candidate, Samunder Singh, who is old-timer Nathi Singh's son. The Meos, who support a Muslim candidate, seem largely inclined towards Mr. Nasru Khan and Mr. Sher Mohammad of the Bahujan Samaj Party.

The Brahmins, Vaishyas, Gujjars, Yadavs and Rajputs are likely to go along with Mr. Sharma, although five per cent of the traditional Brahmin and Vaishya vote might stay with the Congress. It is likely that the largest chunk of SC/ST votes would also be split among the BSP, the Congress, the INLD and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Jan Shakti.

Mr. Jagat Singh told The Hindu in Maujpur village, about 30 km from Alwar, that it was a triangular contest but said he was not getting into the caste equations. He was addressing all castes on development, unemployment and corruption as a social evil. Denying allegations that he was pumping a lot of money into his campaign, he said his father had won from here twice and was using his development quota funds.

With the backing of his father, Mr. Jagat Singh is a strong contender and there are indications that the major candidates opposing him might eventually get together to ensure his defeat as his rise might jeopardise their political career.

The Lakshmangarh election is keenly watched by Vishwendra Singh of the Bharatpur royal family. His wife, Divya Singh, who has joined the INLD and become its vice-president, recently addressed a public meeting in Malakhera in support of Mr. Nasru Khan. Lakshmangarh falls in the Bharatpur Lok Sabha constituency and this fight for the turf is old.

However, the last word must be left to Shahbuddin, a sarpanch of gram panchayat of Mahua Khurd. He said the picture would become clear three days before election when villagers sit around a fire and take a joint decision. About 20 per cent voters are sitting on the fence. They too will make up their mind then. Till then it is a "tough fight."

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