Absence of MLAs, MP at Raje meet exposes rift in Kota unit
The absence of legislators at a public meeting, held in the Kota North assembly during chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra, exposed infighting in the district BJP unit, though leaders have denied factionalism.
The Gaurav Yatra was taken out in the Hadauti region from September 14 to 17. Raje had not planned a public meeting in any of the three assembly constituencies of Kota city apprehending infighting, BJP sources said.
BJP MLA from Kota North Prahlad Gunjal succeeded in organising a Raje’s meeting in his constituency on September 16 at the last moment. BJP MLA from Ladpura Bhawani Singh Rajawat also converted a public reception to Raje in Thathed area of his constituency into a public meeting on September 16 night.
No meeting was held in the Kota South constituency represented by BJP MLA Sandeep Sharma. Instead, Sharma organised a vehicle rally on September
KOTA:
17 as an event under Raje’s yatra.
The BJP has MLAs from all the 6 assembly constituencies in Kota district. Apart from Gunjal, Rajawat and Sharma, Sangod seat is represented by Heeralal Nagar, Ramganjmandi by Chandrakanta Meghwal and Pipalda by Vidhyashankar Nandwana. Om Birla is the BJP’s Kota MP.
Birla and five MLAs did not attend the Raje’s public meeting held in the Kota North constituency, represented by Gunjal. Birla and BJP MLAs, except Nandwana, consider Gunjal as their rival leader in the party. Gunjal’s confidante Nandwana could not attend the Kota North meeting because of his engagements in his constituency Pipalda, party sources said.
Asked about the reason for skipping Raje’s meeting in Kota North, Birla said “I was busy with arrangements for CM’s yatra in the district. The MLAs from the city were busy with the CM’s visit to their constituencies, so they could not remain present at the meeting in Kota North.” He refuted infighting behind the MLAs’ absence.
Sharma said, “I had to organise a vehicle rally during Raje’s yatra on September 17 morning, so I could not attend the meeting in Kota North constituency.”