Vasundhara Raje govt wary of trio threat?

The BJP government in Rajasthan has repeatedly refused permission to three youth leaders to hold public meetings and interactions in the state. The three in question are Patidar leader Hardik Patel, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani and JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. It seems that in the eyes of the Rajasthan government, the terrible trio has potential to damage its electoral prospects. Hardik Patel the Patidar leader heading reservation movement in Rajasthan has close ties with Gurjar leaders of Rajasthan who are also demanding reservation for last several years. Jignesh Mewani the Dalit MLA from Gujarat has been associated with Dalit and Muslim organisations in Rajasthan. He had been part of protests in the Pahlu Khan case, that continues to be a problem for Rajasthan government. 

Kanhaiya Kumar with his Left leanings and bait BJP oratory style is being eyed by the opposition parties, not so much as a vote puller, but more as a BJP slayer. Incidentally, Rajasthan is Gehlot’s home state and his idea of associating with these young leaders during Gujarat elections had proved beneficial. Congress is all set to walk the same path in coming months. It was planned to introduce them to the state and build up a crescendo in the coming months. 

But the BJP Government in Rajasthan is in no mood to accommodate these young leaders. Hardik introductory rally with Congress Sevadal in Pratapgarh was not given permission, Mewani was refused permission to hold a rally in Nagaur and Kanhaiya Kumar’s was not allowed to hold a public interaction.

Rajasthan government cited law and order threat to be the reason for all three cancellations. “Intelligence reports have cited threat to social harmony due to their presence. This was the reason permissions were refused to them. All have a right to voice their views, but the government cannot put law and order at threat,” said Rajendra Rathore, Parliamentary affairs minister in Rajasthan government. 

“This reflects the fear within BJP, it has no reply, no solutions for the issues the young leaders have been raising,” said Mahesh Joshi, former Congress MP, Jaipur.

Raj connect

• Hardik Patel the Patidar leader heading reservation movement in Rajasthan has close ties with Gurjar leaders of Rajasthan who are also demanding reservation for last several years.  
• Jignesh Mewani the Dalit MLA from Gujarat has been associated with Dalit and Muslim organisations in Rajasthan.  
• Kanhaiya Kumar with his Left leanings and bait BJP oratory style is being eyed by the opposition parties.