In a significant political development, Manvendra Singh, erstwhile member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and son of veteran leader Jaswant Singh, rejoined the party’s ranks at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Barmer. Manvendra Singh’s return comes over five years after he parted ways with the BJP, citing differences with the State unit. His re-entry into the BJP fold is poised to have far-reaching implications in Rajasthan’s political landscape.
The announcement of Manvendra Singh’s return was made amidst a charged atmosphere at the rally, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed his comeback as a homecoming for the veteran leader. Manvendra Singh’s decision to rejoin the BJP underscores the party’s efforts to consolidate its base and strengthen its electoral prospects in the State.
It was in 2014 that the former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh wanted to contest the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha Polls. However, he was denied a ticket by Vasundhara Raje and the ticket was given to Colonel Sonaram Choudhary, who, at that point in time had deserted Congress and joined the BJP. Since then, there were differences between the Scindhia and the Jasol families.
Things turned sour in 2018, and Manvendra Singh contested two Assembly and one Lok Sabha election and tasted defeat in all three.
Speaking about his return to the BJP, Manvendra Singh said that one of the major reasons for his leaving the Congress party was that he was running out of patience in the Congress party. He added that when he left the BJP things were different, and now they have changed. He added that it was a family decision to return to the BJP.
About Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Singh added that his leadership style and vision were not resonating with some entrenched leaders, particularly in states like Rajasthan. He noted that despite his personal affection for Gandhi, the sentiment does not translate into support on the ground in Rajasthan, where local leaders resent direct connections with Delhi and prefer that decisions be routed through Jaipur.
Singh highlighted that during his time in the BJP, he observed similar dynamics, where roadblocks were political in nature and needed to be overcome for progress to be made. However, when pressed to specify the roadblocks, Singh refrained from naming individuals, suggesting that they could be anyone or any group hindering Gandhi’s agenda.
The timing of Manvendra Singh’s return is crucial, particularly in the backdrop of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan. Barmer, in particular, has emerged as a battleground constituency, with Union Minister Kailash Choudhary facing a stiff triangular contest. Kailash Choudhary is locked in a fierce electoral tussle with the Congress’s Ummeda Ram Beniwal and Independent candidate Ravindra Bhati.
With Manvendra Singh’s re-entry into the BJP camp, the party’s prospects in Barmer have received a significant boost. His stature as a prominent political figure in the region, coupled with his grassroots connect, is expected to galvanise support for the BJP in the upcoming polls. The party, which is leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, sees Singh’s return as a strategic advantage in its electoral strategy.
The BJP’s decision to welcome Manvendra Singh back into its fold underscores its emphasis on unity and inclusivity, particularly ahead of crucial electoral battles. Manvendra Singh’s return is not only symbolic but also carries substantial implications for the party’s organisational strength and electoral fortunes in Rajasthan.
As the Lok Sabha elections unfold, all eyes will be on Barmer, where the political dynamics have been reshaped by Manvendra Singh’s re-entry into the BJP. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the outcome of the polls in Barmer will not only influence the State’s political landscape but also have ramifications at the national level.
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