Speaker, others locked in multi-cornered contests in Raj

Jaipur, Nov 24 (UNI) A number of prominent leaders, including Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Sumitra Singh and several Ministers, are locked in multi-cornered contests in the December 4 Assembly polls.

Speaker Ms Singh is seeking re-election on Mandawa seat in Jhunjhunu district where she is locked into four-cornered contest against Congress nominee and party stalwart Ram Narain Chaudhary's daughter Rita Kumari, two Independents Narendra Pradhan and Dr Hari Singh.

PWD Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore who has shifted to Taranagar in Churu district from his old Churu constituency is pitted in tough triangular contest against Congress nominee and sitting MLA Dr CS Baid and INLD rebel Jai Narain Punia.

Punia has resigned as INLD state president to contest the seat against the wishes of the party leadership which had settled a poll understanding with the ruling BJP at four seats, excluding his Taranagar.

Energy Minister Gajendra Khimsar, who has also changed his constituency, is facing tough triangular contest in Lohawat against Congress debutant and former minister Narendra Singh Bhati's son Mrigendra Singh and rebel Malaram Vishnoi.

Another Minister Prabhu Lal Saini(BJP) is also subjected to triangular contest in Hindoli against two fire brand leaders sitting MLA Hari Mohan Sharma(Congress) and expelled BJP Legislator and Gujjar leader Prahlad Gunjal.

Besides this, many others including Minister of state Surendrapal Singh TT(Srikaranpur), former MP Dansi Rawat(Banswara-BJP), former MP Krishnendra Kaur Deepa(BJP-Nadbai), former minister Meena strongman Kirodi Lal Meena(Sawai Madhopur) and former MP Usha Meena(BJP-Mahuwa) are also trapped into tough multi cornered contests.

Over 80 of the 200 Assembly constituencies are heading for multi cornered contest in presence of rebels from both the Congress and BJP and candidates from parties like BSP.

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