BJP TOO BIDS TO SOOTHE REBELS, SOME RELENT

labouring over candidate selection, the BJP is now in damage control mode to pacify around 20 rebels, who could spoil the party’s chances on several seats.

Brushing away concerns about rebellion, BJP election management committee convenor Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said some rebels have already relented and agreed to withdraw their candidature.

Shekhawat said a meeting was held at the residence of chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday, where the list of rebels was vetted and leaders who have personal ties or are friendly with the rebel candidates were identified. These leaders have been asked to convince rebels to change their decision and stay and work with the party, he said.

“We have very few rebels in our party. There are only about 15-20 of them who matter. Some have already relented,” Shekhawat told HT. He did not disclose names of those who have relented.

After ticket distribution, both BJP and Congress are facing rebellion. Five ministers and several MLAs have resigned from the BJP after being dropped. The ministers who resigned are Surendra Goyal, Rajkumar Rinwa, Dhan Singh Rawat and Hem Singh Bhadana ,all of whom have filed nominations as independents.

Goyal is contesting from Jaitaran, Rinwa from Ratangarh, Rawat from Banswara and Bhadana from Thanagazi.

Among the prominent MLAs who resigned are Mahua MLA Om Prakash Hudla, Ladpura MLA Bhawani Singh Rajawat, Ramgarh MLA Gyandev Ahuja, Sagwara MLA Anita Katara, Sojat MLA Sanjana Agri, Malpura MLA Alka Singh, Sridungargarh MLA Kishna Ram Nai, Dungarpur MLA Devendra Katara, Ghatol MLA Navneetlal Ninama and Sikrai MLA Geeta Verma. HTC

JAIPUR:After