Jaipur: The first list of candidates of BJP in Rajasthan has disappointed many loyalists of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who were expecting their names in the list.
Now There are voices of protest from some, although it will be interesting to see how many of them would come forward in a rebellion to challenge their own party's candidate.
The saffron brigade declared its candidates for 41 seats in Rajasthan soon after the announcement of election dates on Monday. There are many new names in this list along with seven MPs.
There are about a dozen seats out of the 41 that Raje supporters were claiming but their names are missing from the list.
Former BJP MLA's name tops the list
Among those whose names are unexpectedly not on the list, the first name is that of Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, former BJP MLA from Jhotwara and minister in the Vasundhara government. The party has fielded Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, MP from Jaipur Rural.
Along with this, the second name close to Raje is that of Rohitash Sharma, although he was sacked from the party a couple of years ago because of his derogatory comments on party leadership, but was hoping for a ticket from Bansur seat in Alwar.
The name of sitting MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi is also missing from the list. MP Diya Kumari has been made a candidate for his seat. Rajvi was a minister in the Raje government.
Apart from these prominent leaders, Anita Singh from Nagar seat, Jeevram Patel from Sanchor, Rajendra Bhambu from Jhunjhunu, Vikas Choudhary from Kishangarh, Ramswaroop Kasna from Kotputli, Rajendra Gurjar from Deoli-Uniara and Virendra Meena from Lalsot have also denied ticket.
Raje's followers raise voices
The voices of annoyance and protest are in the air after the release of the candidate's list.
Rajpal Singh's supporters convened a meeting a staged a dharna on party office against the party decision on Tuesday. Rajpal Singh said in a media interview that he was shocked by the decision.
Vikas Chaudhary, Rajendra Bhambu, and Anita Singh expressed their anguish through social media. Anita Singh said that the party has fielded a candidate who got defeated with a margin of 50 thousand votes.
Rohitash Sharma released a video and alleged that the party has given tickets based on caste and money. A protest was also seen at the party office in Jaipur against Vijay Bainsla who got the ticket from Devli- Uniara seat.
