Jaipur | In a major setback to the Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan BJP ahead of the upcoming polls at the end of this year, former defence minister and veteran leader Jaswant Singh’s son Manvendra Singh is rumoured to join Congress.
Manvendra Singh who is currently an MLA from the Sheo constituency of Barmer district is assumed to be joining Congress with his followers. Singh will be announcing his future decision during a ‘Swabhiman Rally’ set on September 22 in Barmer’s Pachpadra village. The rally will be attended by the followers of Manvendra along with various leaders of the Rajput community. Speaking about the rally, Singh said that his future steps will be based on the decision of the people attending this rally.
The reason stated behind Manvendra’s joining hands with Congress is his sour relation with the Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. According to rumours, the unhealthy relationship between Manvendra and Raje resulted in BJP denying Lok Sabha ticket to Manvendra’s father Jaswant Singh from the Barmer constituency. Rumours further added that Vasundhara Raje was the reason behind BJP contesting Colonel Sonaram Chowdhary in place of Jaswant Singh during the 2014 general elections.
Later Jaswant Singh contested from the same seat as an Independent candidate and despite Modi wave during 2014 election Jaswant Singh was able to secure more than 4 lakh votes. Angered by parties decision, Manvendra had refused to campaign against his father and in the favour of BJP candidate Sonaram Chaudhary in this election. Manvendra was later expelled from BJP’s National Executive Committee along with the party. However, Manvendra Singh is still a member of the BJP as he is yet to receive a termination letter from the party.
Manvendra disappointment with the party can be seen by his distance from the recent Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
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