Rajasthan BJP Party President Appointment Rift: Gajendra Shekhawat, Creates Division Among Jats and Rajput Community Party Workers

Rajasthan, April 24: Few days back Ashok Parnami resigned from Rajasthan's state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president role, thereafter State Union Agriculture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat’s name started making rounds. However, before his appointment as state party leader, it created rift among the Jats and Rajput community party workers.

The two communities are at loggerheads, and the reason for it is the historical friction between both (Jats and Rajput) communities prevailing over there. Col. (retd) Sona Ram, the Jat Member of Parliament (MP) from Barmer who is also opposing Shekhawat's appointment believe his community (Jats) would drive away from the party. “Jats have traditionally voted for the Congress. I too had contested elections for the Congress, but we came to BJP because of Modi ji,” he said. He further insisted that BJP should try and appoint a non-Rajput as state chief.

At present in Rajasthan Jats and Bishnois, among others — constitute about 20 per cent of the state’s voting population. This is why another MP’s advice to president Amit Shah is to appoint someone who would be acceptable to all, and take everyone along.

State Union Agriculture minister Shekhawat is tipped to be the strongest contender to take the reins of the state unit, but there is severe opposition to his name from a section of MPs and MLAs who claim to have the support of their powerful Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Interestingly their infightings has reached to the doors of Party President Amit Shah, who will make a final decision on the appointment.

According to news reports, the MPs and Legislators who are opposing Shekhawat's appointment are of the view that he is not the right man to lead the party into these crucial election time, where the BJP is looking to retain power, after winning over 80 per cent of the state’s 200 seats in the year 2013. They believe the party is feeling the heat, under the ire of various castes, be it Rajputs or Scheduled Caste and schedule tribes (SC/STs).

Defending further they remarked recruiting Shekhawat to the post would further damage the party’s standing and could upset many within the party. Hence, it is not a right time to upset party leaders and the cadre.

While alternative names doing the rounds include another central Minister of State (MoS) Arjun Ram Meghwal, and MLA Shrichand Kriplani. Sources stated, these two names have been proposed to Shah.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).