Caste, BJP’s trump card for RS polls Yadav, Meena and Saini file Rajya Sabha nomination
PLAN BJP giving tickets to tribal groups to divert attention from real problems, say experts JAIPUR:
With Rajasthan assembly elections due in December this year, the BJP seems to be looking for poll dividends by balancing caste equations if the Rajya Sabha ticket distribution is any indication.
Analysts say the BJP is trying to woo tribes by giving ticket to Meena leader Kirori Lal Meena, and at the same time keeping the Saini community, listed as an OBC (other backward classes), in good humour by nominating Madan Lal Saini.
Meenas, who constitute about 10% of the population in the state, have a significant presence in 28 assembly seats in 11 districts of eastern Rajasthan.
“It is a politics of opportunism. The BJP is wooing tribal groups, particularly the Meenas, in the hope that they will forget the real issues, such as unemployment, and vote for the BJP in the next elections,” political analyst Rajiv Gupta said.
“By giving ticket to a Saini, they are trying to create a divide in the vote share of the Congress as former chief minister Ashok Gehlot is a tall leader of the Mali community.”
The caste conflict in Rajasthan peaked after the Mandal Commission report recommendation – 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs – was implemented in 1989.
While the acceptance of the OBC reservation became a state policy, the Raje government has faced the backlash of the Gujjar community after the court struck down 5% reservation under SBC (special backward class) quota, as the total reservations had exceeded 50% in violation of a Supreme Court order.
The Gujjars, included among other backward classes, agitated under Kirori Singh Bainsla for being reclassified as a scheduled tribe. The Gujjars alleged that they never got a level-playing field with other OBCs, such as Jats. But their demand was not viewed with favour by the Meenas, who already enjoy the ST status and do not wish to have fresh competitors.
The Gujjars envy the Meenas who are comfortably placed in IAS, IPS and other while-collar jobs. Kirori Lal emerged as a prominent Meena leader in opposition to the Gujjars’ demand for an ST status.
Because of caste politics, people sometimes vote as a community hoping to benefit as a bloc. However, Gupta was skeptical that it will work this time around. “People now understand that real issues also matter, so I don’t think it will work for the BJP,” he said.
Kirori Lal Meena denied that BJP is looking to play caste politics. “BJP is a party based on ideology. The party does not believe in playing caste politics for the sake of votes,” he said. The ‘ghar wapsi’ of Meena has also dashed the hopes of a third front. Jat leader and MLA Hanuman Beniwal had joined hands with Meena against the BJP government and the duo had been raising farmers’ issues for the past few months. BJP has got support from Jats, Rajputs, Brahmins and traders while SCs, Muslims, Bhil Meenas, and Malis have voted for the Congress.
: Kirori Lal Meena will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the BJP leaders to make Rajasthan Congress-free, chief minister Vasundhara Raje said Monday, a day after the tribal leader and NPP MLA rejoined the saffron party after having quit it in 2008.
Raje was speaking to reporters outside the Rajasthan assembly after Meena along with Bhupendra Yadav and Madan Lal Saini filed their nominations their nomination for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections.
The trio reached the assembly in the morning with their supporters and submitted their nomination to returning officer Akhil Arora.
With Congress deciding not to contest the election, the trio’s election is a foregone conclusion.
Meena, who had separated from the BJP in 2008, rejoined the party Sunday along with his two MLAs. “Meena will walk shoulder-to-shoulder in making the state Congress-free,” Raje said, adding “In coming time, we will make Narendra Modi prime minister once again at Delhi and form our government in Rajasthan.”
Meena said, “We will work for the Mission-180 seats in the assembly election slated this year-end. I will also try to convince other BJP dissidents to join main stream.”
JAIPUR MEENA, YADAV AND SAINI REACHED THE ASSEMBLY WITH SUPPORTERS AND SUBMITTED THEIR NOMINATION TO THE RETURNING OFFICER AKHIL ARORA
The tenure of Yadav and two Congress MPs Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Narendra Budania is expiring on April 3.
Today was the last date for filing of nominations. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 13, whereas last date for withdrawing names will be March 15.
Voting will take place on March 23 from 9 am to 4 pm and counting will be done on the same day at 5 pm.