Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje will taken on former BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s Manvendra, who switched to Congress from the BJP last month in Jhalrapatan. The state goes to polls on December 7.
Manvendra Singh name was announced in the Congress’ second list of candidates for Rajasthan assembly election.
Manvendra announced his exit from BJP on September 22 during the Swabhiman Rally called by him to salvage the Rajput pride. He said Rajputs are unhappy with the BJP since it denied ticket to Jaswant in 2014 general election to contest from Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha seat.
Chief minister Vasundhara Raje is seen to have played a role in Jaswant Singh being sidelined and Manvendra Singh has had strained relations with her ever since. Jaswant Singh had contested as an Independent candidate and lost, and his supporters in the region say they haven’t forgotten the slight to their leader, who served as the country’s finance, defence and external affairs minister.
CM Raje filed her nominations for the elections at Jhalawar secretariat on Saturday.
Raje has been contesting from the assembly constituency since 2003. Her name was announced in the first list of BJP candidates issued by senior BJP leader JP Nadda.
The state goes to polls on December 7. Votes will be counted on December 11.
Prasanta Patnaik