Supporters of the leaders who were denied ticket protested outside local offices and even outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi
The polls in the princely state of Rajasthan promises to be a prestige battle between the royals of the state. The Congress released its second list of 32 candidates for Rajasthan assembly elections triggering fresh wave of protest in central areas. Supporters of the leaders who were denied ticket protested outside local offices and even outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi. The internal dissent was evident in the party on at least 30 seats.
"I will not contest against the party but cannot assure on the decision my supporters might take," said Brij Kishore Sharma after being denied ticket in second list. Sharma was a minister in the Congress government and had been demanding ticket from the Hawa Mahal constituency of Jaipur. The party instead selected former Jaipur MP, Mahesh Joshi for that seat.
Meanwhile, the suspense over the Sawai Madhopur assembly seat in the BJP camp ended on Saturday. The party denied ticket to Diya Kumari, a member of the Jaipur royal family and Sawai Madhopur MLA. The former pradhan of Sawai Madhopur Asha Meena, who had joined the BJP during election campaigning of Diya Kumari during 2013 usurped her place this time. Asha is a candidate of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirorilal Meena who returned to the BJP fold after contesting against the party in the last two elections.
The ruling party released its third list of eight candidates for Assembly elections on Saturday. GAD Minister Hem Singh Bhadana has also been denied a ticket. The party has fielded former MLA Rohitashav Sharma from Thanagaji assembly constituency of Alwar district in place of Bhadana.
Diya Kumari and chief minister Vasundhara Raje haven't been on the best of terms after the Jaipur Development Authority tried to bulldoze a portion of the Rajmahal Palace, a five star property which is managed by the Jaipur royalty. Diya had personally confronted the bureaucrats who had attempted to seize control of the property.
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