Another BJP leader, Subhash Maharia, to fight as independent

Upset over being denied a ticket, former Union minister and Vice President of BJP Kisan Morcha Subhash Maharia decided on Monday to contest as an Independent from Sikar constituency in Rajasthan.

Maharia's announcement comes close on the heels of party veteran Jaswant Singh's decision to fight as an independent from Barmer after being denied a party ticket.

Maharia said he would file nomination on March 26 with the support of the Sarv Samaj Mahapanchayat.

"A person from Haryana, who has nothing to do with any of 8 assembly segment in Sikar Parliamentary constituency, was given a ticket which has created dissidence among party workers as well as locals in the constituency," he said.

"Yesterday, a mass rally was held in Sikar where people from all castes and communities participated and decided that I should contest as an independent to protest the party's decision to give ticket to Swami Sumedanand," he said.

The BJP leader said the Mahapanchayat has formed 1725 committees of 50 people each across the eight assembly segments to ensure that he wins.

"I will announce whether I am quitting the BJP or not on March 26 when I will file the nomination papers," he said.