Ahead of second list, Rajasthan Cong asks for police protection

The request for police protection came on Sunday from the Congress headquarters in Jaipur, after which a temporary police outpost, manned by four policemen, has been stationed near the office. The request was made in the aftermath of protests by supporters of party leaders who were denied tickets, some whom even managed to break furniture and glass panes in the office.

Congress spokesperson Satinder Raghav justified the protection, claiming that inebriated miscreants and not party workers were creating ruckus. The agitations followed Congress and veteran Jat leader from Jodhpur Parasram Maderna slamming the first Congress list calling it anti-farmer, biased and reeking of sycophancy.

Senior Congress leaders in Rajasthan said 176 candidates had already been decided, of which only 116 names had been released to gauge reactions. A senior party leader said, “the remaining 60 names will be declared very soon and is bound to have repercussions as the party cannot possibly please everybody. We have concentrated on giving tickets to winnable candidates based on careful research.”

He added that there would be protests from various quarters, but the high command’s decision was final and no changes would be made. “The candidates contesting in Nagaur district, the Jat heartland and important Gurjjar- majority constituencies, including Dausa, will figure in the second list,” he said.

However, political experts in the state believe that Maderna, who is expected to meet party president Sonia Gandhi about Jat representation, was a worrying sign for the Congress, particularly as disgruntled Jat leaders are known to break away from the party and contest as independents.

“The list will somehow have to pacify Maderna and the Jats and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s lobby and also consider winnable candidates, instead of giving in to pressure from veteran leaders,” said a senior leader.

He added that senior state leaders were also dropping names of Congress leaders in Delhi to avoid further revolts in the state.