Other States - Rajasthan   

Meena-Gujjar rivalry a major issue in Karauli

KARAULI: Lack of employment opportunities, dearth of good educational institutions, deficiency of civic amenities and an abysmal poverty amid the continuing rivalry between the dominant Meenas and rebellious Gujjars are the major issues standing out in the run-up to the Assembly elections in this backward district carved out of Sawai Madhopur in eastern Rajasthan.

The Bahujan Samaj Party which has its sitting MLA Suresh Meena here – making a fresh assessment of the political landscape in the wake of Gujjars’ agitation for the Scheduled Tribe status – has fielded Darshan Singh Gujjar as its official candidate. Mr. Gujjar is the son of former MLA Hansram Gujjar who was instrumental in the formation of Karuali district a decade ago.

Having been denied re-nomination from the only unreserved seat among the four Assembly segments in the district, Mr. Suresh Meena has opted to contest as an independent candidate. However, the local political observers feel that his entry into the fray is unlikely to make the contest triangular.

Veteran Congress leader of the region and former Minister Janardhan Singh Gehlot did not take the people by surprise when he crossed the floor and joined Bharatiya Janata Party earlier this week. “His exit is a blessing in disguise for Congress. He always worked against the party’s interest simply because of his aversion to Ashok Gehlot,” said Congress organising secretary Ramvilas Meena.

BJP candidate Rohini Singh, on the other hand, enjoys the support of Gujjar leader and architect of the quota stir, Kirori Singh Bainsla. She has raised the issue of lack of development of the region in her election campaign while holding Mr. Suresh Meena and BSP, a “political non-entity in Rajasthan”, for backwardness of the constituency despite its status as the district headquarter.

Veteran leader and BJP rebel Kirorilal Meena, who is contesting as an independent from Todabhim – in addition to Sawai Madhopur – had extended his support to independent candidate Lakhan Singh Meena in Karauli, but the latter has withdrawn his nomination. Mr. Kirorilal Meena is expected to give a tough fight to Ram Singh Pradhan of BJP and Murarilal Meena of Congress in Todabhim.

A few Congress activists told The Hindu on the condition of anonymity that there was an undercurrent of resentment over Union Minister of State Namonarain Meena allegedly influencing the Congress screening committee during the selection of candidates for Karauli, Sapotra and Todabhim.

Interestingly, three of the four candidates fielded by the BJP in the district are women. Apart from Ms. Rohini Singh, two others are Rajkumari Jatav in Hindaun, reserved for Scheduled Castes, and Shakuntala Meena in Sapotra, reserved for Scheduled Tribes. According to the political observers, Congress nominee Bharosilal Jatav in Hindaun seems to have an edge over others because of a significant portion of the neighbouring Mahuwa constituency– where his party has had a strong presence – being merged into Hindaun in the delimitation exercise.

In the backdrop of the violent Gujjar agitation for reservation as a Scheduled Tribe and the resistance put up by the Meena community – enjoying the ST status at present – the battle lines in the district seem to be clearly drawn.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Meena-Gujjar rivalry a major issue in Karauli
Marriage season a boon for candidates

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu