Jaipur, May 20: The political landscape in Rajasthan is heating up as the elections for three Rajya Sabha seats approach next month. With the current assembly strength, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win two seats, while the Congress is likely to secure one. As a result, the BJP is preparing to field only two candidates, prompting intense discussions within the party.
On May 16, a core committee meeting was held to discuss potential candidates. Following this, the committee authorized state president Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to finalize the candidate panel and send it to the central leadership.
Given the political and caste dynamics, the BJP may nominate a leader from the OBC community for one seat. Discussions are also ongoing about re-nominating Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for the other seat, although the final decision rests with the central leadership.
Key Candidates Under Consideration
In the meeting, significant names discussed include former state president Satish Poonia, former opposition leader Rajendra Rathore, and BJP’s national secretary Alka Gurjar. Both Poonia and Rathore have been viewed as potential candidates for the Rajya Sabha after losing in previous assembly elections. They were also not granted tickets for the Lok Sabha elections and missed opportunities in subsequent assembly by-elections.
Currently, Satish Poonia has been assigned organizational responsibilities as the in-charge of Haryana. In contrast, Rajendra Rathore lacks any significant role at present, making him a serious contender for the nomination.
Alka Gurjar is also considered a strong candidate. Currently, the BJP has no female representatives in the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, the party may prioritize women’s representation and caste balance by giving Gurjar a chance.
Considering Candidates from Tribal Areas
This time, the BJP is also discussing the possibility of sending a candidate from the general category in tribal regions to the Rajya Sabha. The Udaipur area has seen a lack of representation from the general category due to the reservation of most seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Previously, in 2016, the party nominated Harshvardhan Singh from the former royal family of Dungarpur to the Rajya Sabha. Following this precedent, discussions are now underway regarding Pramod Samar from Udaipur, who has held significant responsibilities in the party organization and is currently the state convenor for the cooperative cell.
Other Notable Names in Discussion
The BJP is also considering Prabhulal Saini from the OBC category. Saini has played active roles in both the government and the party, having served as a minister in the Vasundhara Raje government and as the state vice-president.
Although he was given a ticket in the assembly elections from Hindoli, he lost. He is also seen as a leading contender for a ticket in the upcoming Anta by-elections. Additionally, Narsi Kularia, an industrialist from Bikaner and founder of the Narsi Group, is being discussed. His company was involved in the interior work of the new parliament building. Political sources indicate that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh supports his candidacy, although his name was not formally discussed in the core committee meeting.
The final decision regarding the Rajya Sabha candidates from Rajasthan is expected to be made at the central leadership level soon. An official announcement of the candidates’ names is anticipated in the coming days.
Why This Matters to You
The choice of candidates for the Rajya Sabha can significantly impact local governance and representation. It reflects the party’s strategy towards inclusivity and addressing the needs of various communities in Rajasthan.
Author Profile
- My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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