Many rebels file nominations in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Nov 18 (UNI) Former Home Minister Digvijay Singh, whose ticket for Deoli-Uniara seat was withdrawn by the Congress at the eleventh hour, yesterday filed nomination as an independent against the party nominee Ram Narain Meena.

Besides this, several prominent leaders, from the Congress and the ruling BJP have also entered the fray for the December 4 Assembly polls, against the respective party nominees in over 100 assembly constituencies.

Mr Singh was allotted ticket from his traditional Uniara-Deoli constituency in Tonk district by the Congress on Sunday night but it was suddenly withdrawn yesterday to be replaced him by Congress legislature party Deputy Leader Ram Narain Meena.

Around 70 Congress leaders, including former Minister Ramswaroop Meena, Harji Ram Burdak, Parsadi Lal Meena, are also in the fray in different constituencies.

Likewise, around 60 BJP leaders including Meena strongman Kirodi Lal Meena and several sitting and former MLAs are also contesting various seats.

Among other parties Indian National Lok Dal(INLD) which is contesting only four seats in alliance with the ruling BJP has also been facing internal tussle with its state president Jai Narain Punia. Annoyed over the seat sharing truck with the BJP, the INLD had filed nomination from Taranagar seat against the saffron Party nominee PWD Minister Rajendra Rathore.

There appeared to be some confusion and/or tussle between the BJP and its another NDA ally JD(U) with leaders from both parites filing paper against each other in some constituencies like Kushalgarh and Bagidora which are allotted to JD(U) by the BJP in the seat sharing agreement. JD(U) is also contesting 4 seats in the state.

The deadline for for withdrawals is November 20 and efforts are being made by all parties concerned to persuade the rebels to withdraw in favour of the party's official candidates.

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