Death leaves BJP with tough task

May 17, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

Jaipur

Though the late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat never played the caste card in his long political innings, Rajputs always considered him as their father figure. Political analysts feel it will be difficult for the BJP in the absence of Shekhawat to keep its base intact among the Rajputs who traditionally support the saffron party. The ruling Congress had managed better in terms of caste equation, with six Jats and four Rajputs from the party elected as MPs in Rajasthan.
The Rajputs, who used to side with the BJP in the state, suddenly shifted towards the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot made a calculated move by fielding three members from prominent former royal families, which yielded results. The Congress, sensing unhappiness among the Rajputs during the erstwhile BJP regime under Ms Vasundhara Raje, brought Chandresh Kumari of Jodhpur, and Ijjeraje Singh of Kota’s ex-royal family on its side while Alwar’s Jitendra Singh was already with the Congress.
The expulsion of former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh also annoyed the Rajputs.
“A section of the BJP sabotaged the prospects of Manvendra Singh’s victory in Barmer during the Lok Sabha polls,” says a Rajput leader.

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