Rajasthan polls: Rebels trouble both Cong and BJP

Jaipur, Nov 28: The rebel factor has become a major problem for the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the coming assembly elections in Rajasthan.

While the BJP candidates are facing 54 rebels in as many as 46 assembly constituencies, the Congress nominees will have to contend with 64 rebels in 52 seats. The Congress is contesting all the 200 assembly seats in the state and the BJP has fielded its nominees in 193.

Among the prominent BJP rebels, former state minister Kirori Lal Meena has locked horns with official BJP candidate and former Union minister Jaskaur Meena in Sawai Madhopur. Another BJP rebel who has challenged Ms Meena in Sawai Madhopur is former minister Narendra Kanwar.

Mr Kirori Lal Meena is also contesting the Todabhim seat against Ram Singh Pradhan of the BJP while his wife Golma is pitted against BJP nominee and former MP Usha Meena in Mahuwa.

Kirori Lal Meena, who was Food and Civil Supplies Minister in the Vasundhra Raje government, resigned from the party following differences over ticket distribution with the BJP leadership. He accused the party of fielding corrupt candiadtes in the elections Former Deputy Speaker of assembly Hira Singh Chouhan is contesting as independent candidate against Urban Developnment Minister Surendra Goyal (BJP) in Jaitaran constituency.

In Atru constituency, Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilawar (BJP) is facing his own nephew Madan Dilawar as a rebel candidate.

Panchayati Raj Minister Kalu Lal Gurjar is facing two BJP rebels in Mandalgarh--former MLA Badri Guruji and Kanhaiya Lal Dhakar. Sitting BJP MLA Jeewa Ram Choudhary has locked horns with party nominee Milap Kanungo in the Sanchor constituency while sitting BJP MLA Kanhaiya Lal Meena is contesting as an independent candidate in Bassi constituency against official party nominee Banwari Lal Meena.

Another sitting MLA Rakesh Meghwal is contesting against BJP nominee Man Sing Kinsaria in Parbatsar while former BJP MLA Govind Meghwal is pitted against party candidate Dr Vishwanath.

In Bhadra, BJP rebel Jaideep Dudi, son of former minister Lal Chand Dudi is contesting against INLD candidate Bhim Singh whom the BJP is supporting as an ally.

Among the prominent Congress rebels, former Home Minister Digvijay Singh is contesting against party nominee Ram Naryana Meena in Devli Uniara constituency.

Former state minister Hamida begum has challenged official Congress candidate Maqbool Madelia in the Churu constituency while another ex-minister Prasadi Lal Meena is pitted against Satya Pal Meena (Cong) in Lalsot constituency. In Beawar constituency, former Congress MLA K C Choudhry is contesting against party nominee Mool Singh Rawat. Mr Choudhry was a a member of the Industry Cell of the Congress.

In Ajmer (South), former minister Lalit Bhati has challenged Congress candidate Raj Kumar Jaipal while in Kota (North), senior Congress leader Azam Beg is giving a tough time to party nominee Shanti Dhariwal.

In the Vallabh Nagar constituency, Mr Gajendra Shaktawat (Cong), son of former minister Gulab Singh Shaktawat, is facing party rebel Ganpat Menaria.

UNI