Though elections are two years away in Rajasthan, the suspension of BJP MLA Hanuman Beniwal from his party and dalit nurse Bhanwari Devi’s disappearance has galvanised the people on caste lines. The ruling Congress had suspended
Mahipal Maderna after his name figured in the Bhanwari case. “Jats are not against the BJP, but they are against certain people in the party,” says suspended BJP MLA Beniwal.
The state BJP leadership witnessed resentment from a section of the party when it served notice to Mr Beniwal and gave him a week’s time to reply.
According to sources, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s supporters raised their voice against the meeting of the state executive on Monday in Jaipur and sought immediate action against Mr Beniwal. BJP state president Arun Chaturvedi argued that it should be left to the party high command in Delhi but Ms Raje’s loyalists insisted, saying Mr Beniwal had crossed all limits.
“What I said was true and I will prove my point,” said an unfazed Mr Beniwal. He said Jats were against a section of the party. He said chief minister Ashok Gehlot was a weak ruler and Jats were not happy with him.
Hailing from the Jat heartland of Nagaur, Mr Beniwal said it will be Nagaur which will always chart the root of Jat politics.
“My late father Ramdev was the first who popularised the lotus symbol among the Jats with the help of the late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,” Mr Beniwal said.
The Jat leaders from the BJP rallied behind Ms Raje and termed her “Bahu” and said Mr Beniwal has no right to speak on behalf of the party and the farming community.
A group of Jat leaders led by BJP leader Shubhash Mahria and Digambar Singh said Mr Beniwal’s move is nothing less than the ruling Congress’ ploy. The Jat leaders said Ms Raje is still most popular face of the state.