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Congress banks on non-Gujjars in Gujjar belt

Mohammed Iqbal

Party probably wants to evolve a support base of other communities

Photo: PTI

Every vote counts: Congress president Sonia Gandhi waves to supporters during an election rally at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.

DAUSA: Political heavyweights crossing over to join rival parties, opposition Congress fielding non-Gujjar candidates in the majority of constituencies and the wife of veteran leader Kirorilal Meena confronting the major parties as an Independent contestant have together thrown up an interesting situation in Dausa district of Rajasthan which was the battleground of the violent Gujjar agitation for reservation just a few months ago.

The Congress, which is already facing the heat of dissidents, seems to have resorted to a tactical ploy by nominating only one Gujjar candidate – G.R. Khatana, a close aide of the late Rajesh Pilot, from Bandikui – in this predominantly Gujjar belt. The party probably wants to evolve a support base of other communities while being complacent about the traditional backing of Gujjars.

Former Minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, Shailendra Joshi, sprang a surprise by joining the ruling BJP this past month on being denied ticket by the Congress on his home turf, Bandikui. As the BJP candidate for the Assembly elections now he is busy inflating the “excesses” committed by Gujjars during the quota stir.

“Even if you describe his shift as sheer opportunism, it is not going to affect Mr. Joshi. His family’s prolonged association with this British cantonment town strengthens his good relations with voters of all major castes,” says Hemant Joshi, the younger brother of Mr. Joshi, sitting in the BJP’s election office.

According to Mr. Hemant Joshi, “popular resentment” against Gujjars over losses during the month-long agitation and the “excellent track record of the BJP-led government” would ensure victory of his brother in the election. A number of BJP activists, too, feel that there was no reason for the electorate of the constituency to reject Mr. Joshi.

Mr. Khatana of the Congress, on the other hand, enjoys the support of the young Member of Parliament from Dausa, Sachin Pilot. In his election campaign, he does not hide his longstanding relationship with the Pilot family and reminds Gujjars of his party’s commitment to work for welfare of all the downtrodden.

The BJP has roped in Usha Meena, daughter of Chhuttan Meena who was instrumental in bringing Scheduled Tribe status to the Meena community, to contest as its candidate from Mahuwa. She is locked in a direct battle with Golma Devi, wife of BJP dissident and former Minister Kirorilal Meena.

Ms. Meena, who has been with the Congress throughout and had earlier lost an election on the party ticket, is seen as an unreliable candidate who may not cut much ice with the electorate. Ms. Golma Devi is evidently banking on the goodwill enjoyed by her husband.

Gujjars would be the deciding factor in Lalsot, where rebel Congress heavyweight Parsadilal Meena is giving a tough fight to the party’s official nominee Satpal Meena. BJP candidate Rajkumar Meena in this reserved constituency is likely to face the anger of Gujjars over the multiple killings in police firing during their agitation this year as well as in the previous year.

According to political analysts here, any gains of the Bahujan Samaj Party – which is trying hard to expand its base in this part of Rajasthan – will be at the expense of the Congress. The only sitting BSP MLA in Dausa district, Murarilal Meena, was elected from Bandikui.

The Banshiwal family dominating the political scene for several years in Dausa constituency, which includes the district headquarter, has been sidelined by the BJP this time. Its official candidate, Babulal Sharma, is stated to be enjoying support of the majority of party activists.

The Congress candidate in Dausa, Ramavtar Chaudhary, is likely to benefit from the recent delimitation of the Assembly segment, which led to inclusion of 39 village panchayats and 35 municipal wards where his party is stated to be in a leading position. Congress election office in-charge Kailash Vijay said Mr. Chaudhary had promised launching of several development projects if elected.

In the Sikrai constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes, expelled BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal has extended his support to an Independent, Pappu Nat. This may directly affect the electoral prospects of both Geeta Verma of the BJP and Mamta Bhupesh of the Congress.

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