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Rajasthan gets a fair share in Cabinet

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, MAY 22. Rajasthan, which did not give a favourable mandate to the Congress, has been given a fair representation in the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre. The tally for the State which elected only four MPs from the Congress is three with two party seniors, Natwar Singh and Sisram Ola, getting Cabinet berths and the first timer, Namonarain Meena, being inducted as a Minister of State.

Ministerial berths for Mr. Singh and Mr. Ola were expected as they both fit into the scheme of things for the Congress at the Centre and in Rajasthan while Mr. Meena is the sole representative of the tribals in the State.

Mr. Meena has been doubly lucky after his entry into politics two months back as he could win Sawai Madhopur(ST) seat with a margin of over 1 lakh voes and now, could become a Minister at the Centre as well.

Another consideration to choose Mr. Meena, a former IPS officer, choice could be that he defeated Jaskaur Meena, a Minister in the previous Government. Ms. Meena was the lone BJP Minister to lose this time.

The previous National Democratic Alliance Government had four Ministers from Rajasthan against a strength of 16 MPs. Other than former Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member, the others -- Ms.Meena, Subhash Maharia and Kailash Meghwal -- were Ministers of State. This time around Natwar Singh is a Rajya Sabha member while Mr. Ola, who managed to win from Jhunjhunu despite a BJP sweep in the State is a fourth time MP. Mr. Ola has been a Minister at the Centre in the Government led by Deve Gowda.

Today's choice indicates that the Congress has not given up on Jats of Rajasthan. Though the party could not succeed in getting back the full support of Jats in the current elections despite nominating a leader of the community as the president Pradesh Congress Committee, it has chosen two Jats as Ministers.

Of course, the selection of Mr. Natwar Singh is not because of his caste alone while Mr. Ola is among the senior most Congressmen in Rajasthan.

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