Scion of Bharatpur royal family to contest against BJP

Jaipur, Nov 13 (UNI) Sitting BJP MP Vishwendra Singh, unhappy over denial for party ticket from Deeg-Kumher Assembly constituency in Bharatpur district, stated that he would contest the December 4 Rajasthan Assembly election as an independent candidate.

Scion of Bharatpur royal family the Jat leader has been maintaining "sweet and sour" relation with the ruling BJP for quite sometime . He was demanding the ticket for himself recently vacated by his wife Divya Singh for taking over as Chairperson in Rajasthan State Subordinate Service Selection Board.

However, the ruling party ignored his demand and allotted the ticket to state Industries Minister Digambar Singh.

Annoyed over the decision, Mr Singh is at present holding the post of Chief Minister's Political Advisor, conveyed his unhappiness to the party leadership but to no avail.

Sources close to the royal family said that Mr Singh would file his nomination as an Independent on November 17.

The sources also expressed the possibility of his understanding with Congress and said that he was also in touch with the Congress leadership.

Mr Singh's ties with the BJP had remained inconsistent for long.

He had spoken against the the party, particularly against the functioning and policies of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, at a number of occasions.

Recently during Gujjar agitation for ST status, the Jat MP had openly opposed the Chief Minister's handling of the Gujjar issue and jumped into the role of an inter-mediator on behalf of the BJP High Command, against Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje's wishese.

Even while holding talks with Gujjar leaders he and his MLA wife Divya Singh had openly condemned Chief Minister Raje's actions.

Despite the rebellious gestures, Mr Singh not only succeeded in getting vital assignment as Chief Minister's Political Advisor but also secured post of Chairperson in Rajasthan Subordinate Service Selection Board, for his wife Divya Singh UNI SS LS KN1353