In a significant development, the Congress party has undertaken a reshuffle in its candidate lineup for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan. Dr. Damodar Gurjar, who was initially slated to contest from the Bhilwara constituency, has been replaced by veteran party leader and former Assembly Speaker, C.P. Joshi.
Damodar Gurjar has been nominated to contest from Rajsamand, after the initially proposed candidate Sudarshan Singh Rawat declined to run, citing lack of prior consent before his nomination was announced.
This alteration comes amidst a backdrop of discontent among the Brahmin community in the state, following the Congress' decision not to field any candidates from their community in the Lok Sabha polls. Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha President, Suresh Mishra, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the Congress seemed indifferent to securing votes from the Brahmin community.
Mishra highlighted the historical significance of Brahmin leaders in Rajasthan politics and criticized the lack of representation accorded to the community in the current electoral lineup.
Senior Congress leader, Varun Purohit, emphasised the pivotal role Brahmin leaders have played in Rajasthan's political landscape, cautioning against neglecting their contributions. Purohit drew parallels with the political scenarios in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Congress faltered after sidelining Brahmin leadership.
The Congress' attempt to nominate Sunil Sharma from Jaipur was marred by controversy, as his connections with the RSS-linked "Jaipur Dialogues" raised questions about his allegiance to the party. Many Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, had questioned his loyalty to the party. Following widespread criticism, Sharma withdrew his candidacy, leading to the selection of former state minister, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, as the replacement candidate.
Brahmin leaders pointed out the legacy of their community's leadership in Rajasthan, citing notable figures such as Chief Ministers Pt. Hiralal Shastri, Jai Narayan Vyas, Tika Ram Paliwal, and Hari Dev Joshi.
With these changes in candidate selection, the Congress aims to address the concerns raised by various sections of society while navigating the intricate dynamics of regional politics in Rajasthan.
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