Castes to cast their shadow on Rajasthan polls

With Assembly polls round the corner, now various caste organisations have come into fray by staking their claims and demanding tickets for their community candidates from both main political parties. Joining the bandwagon are organisations of Brahmin, Mahajan and minority communities who are consolidating themselves to strength their voice.

“In Jaipur alone there are more than 4.5 lakh Brahmins, which is huge number. Earlier when there were five seats in Jaipur, both parties used to give at least three tickets to Brahmin candidates. Now, when there are eight seats both parties restrict the community on two seats,” said Suresh Mishra of Sarv  Brahmin Mahasabha. At least four to five Brahmin candidates should be given tickets in both the parties. Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha is also holding a public meeting in this regard on Oct 2, he added.  

Mahajan community too has demanded at least two tickets from both political parties in Jaipur. “In Jaipur alone Mahajan community has 10 to 25% of the total population but their political representation is almost negligible. In Kishanpol seat there are 24% Mahajan votes, while in Vidhyadhar Nagar the percentage is 22.

These are the two most comfortable seats for any party who filed Mahajan candidates,” said Giriraj Garg, vice-president Rashtriya Vaishya Mahasamelan. “We demand both parties should at least give two tickets to Baniyas and Mahajans in Jaipur,” he added.

Minority community which is considered as traditional vote bank of Congress too has claimed for at least two to three tickets from both parties in Jaipur. “We are considered as traditional vote bank of Congress but this time BJP too is showing its proximity.

But they should prove it by giving at least half a dozen tickets to community in state,” said a minority community leader adding “In city Kishanpol,  Hawa Mahal and Adarsh Nagar seats have 40%, 37% and 41% minority votes respectively. If our candidates are not fielded, we will filed independent candidates.”