dna in-depth: It’s a triangular contest in Barmer-Jaisalmer seat

All eyes are on Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha seats as to who will win and prove his mettle.

BJP has given ticket to Col Sonaram, who recently switched side and joined BJP. Thus, the ticket of senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh was cut. As a result, there is turmoil in the party.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Jaswant Singh declared to fight as Independent. Political pundits claim Congress leader Harish Choudhary may win while BJP leaders are also sure of Col Sonaram’s success.

Experts in the know of regional politics believe in this Lok Sabha election, the number of Jat voters is over 3.62 lakh. There will be a division of community votes between Congress and BJP, and there are possibilities of 70% Jat votes swinging in favour of Col Sonaram and 30% may go with Harish Choudhary.

Sources said in this region, on second spot comes the Rajput community with 2.23 lakh votes. These will be divided among Congress, BJP and Jaswant Singh. It is believed maximum votes may go in favour of Jaswant Singh as he has turned a rebel and fighting the election as Independent.

Further, the Rajputs, considered loyal to BJP, may vote for Col Sonaram. Also, Rajput MLAs will also get the community votes as there is pressure from chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

The population of Sindhi-Muslim voters in this segment is about two lakh and a large chunk is a staunch supporter of Jaswant Singh. However, in view of Modi wave, most votes can swing towards Congress.

The sources say there are 2.27 lakh SC/ ST voters. They will be divided among the three candidates. Also, there are 72,000 Lalbi and 49,000 Vishnoi votes. The communities are said to be supporting BJP.

Political pundits believe if the caste combination is seen in the wake of possibilities of Jaswant Singh contesting as Independent, Col Sonaram is ahead of his two of political arch-rivals.