Key after 2018 polls, ‘rebel’ Independents again in Rajasthan race: 11 for BJP, 7 for Cong

Many BJP leaders, including former MLAs, are also contesting as Independents after being denied tickets by the party. Some of these candidates are former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje loyalists, many of whom were denied tickets.

If some of these Independents emerge victorious, they can again tilt the balance of power in favour of specific leaders, depending on the scenario after the elections.

Here are some of these important Independents:

BJP

Kailash Meghwal (Shahpura)

He has been a former Rajasthan Assembly Speaker, Union Minister, Cabinet Minister and multiple-time MLA and MP of the BJP. Considered one of the seniormost BJP leaders in the state at one time, and a Raje loyalist, he was removed by the party on Wednesday after refusing to withdraw from the contest as an Independent from Shahpura. Worryingly for the BJP, Meghwal had won the seat by a margin of more than 70,000 votes in 2018. The BJP has fielded Lalaram Bairwa this time.

Chandrabhan Singh Aakya (Chittorgarh)

A two-time BJP MLA from Chittorgarh, Aakya was denied a ticket by the party. Instead, the party fielded MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi, the son-in-law of former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Aakya has blamed Rajasthan BJP president C P Joshi for the denial of a ticket to him, accusing him of holding a “grudge” against him.

Yunus Khan (Deedwana)

Khan, a two-time former MLA from Deedwana, was considered one of the most powerful ministers in the Raje government. Khan is contesting as an Independent after being denied a ticket by the BJP. The party has not fielded a single Muslim candidate this year. A Shekhawat protege, Khan holds significant clout in Deedwana, with support from across communities.

Bansidhar Bajiya (Khandela)

A two-time former MLA from Khandela, Bajiya lost the 2018 polls from the seat to Independent candidate Mahadeo Singh Khandela. Bajiya, a Raje loyalist, is now contesting as an Independent after the BJP chose to field former Congress leader Subhash Meel.

Bhawani Singh Rajawat (Ladpura)

Rajawat, a three-time former MLA, is another Raje loyalist contesting as an Independent. Back in 2018, the BJP had fielded Kalpana Devi. She won the polls. With the BJP once again fielding Devi for this year, Rajawat has decided to contest as an Independent.

Rajendra Singh Bhadu (Suratgarh)

An MLA between 2013-18, Bhadu was denied a ticket before the 2018 polls. This year, after the BJP chose to field sitting MLA Rampratap Kasaniya, Bhadu went the Independent route.

Jiva Ram Choudhary (Sanchore)

The two-time former BJP MLA is contesting as an Independent after the party decided to field Jalore-Sirohi MP Devji Patel from the seat.

Asha Meena (Sawai Madhopur)

Back in 2018, Meena was the BJP’s candidate for Sawai Madhopur. Meena stood second, getting more than 60,000 votes. This year, with the BJP fielding Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena from the seat, she is contesting as an Independent.

Rajendra Singh Bhamboo (Jhunjhunu)

He lost the seat in 2018 to the Congress. After the BJP denied a ticket to Bhamboo this year and instead named Nisheet Kumar, he went the Independent route.

Mukesh Goyal (Kotputli)

Goyal too lost the seat in 2018. The BJP has named Hansraj Patel as its candidate and Goyal has become an Independent.

Priyanka Chowdhary (Barmer)

The BJP’s candidate from Barmer in 2013, she came second with over 58,000 votes. In the 2018 elections, Chowdhary was denied a ticket. When she was denied a ticket once again this year, Chowdhary decided to contest as an Independent.

CONGRESS

Alok Beniwal (Shahpura)

Beniwal is the sitting MLA, having won the 2018 Assembly elections as an Independent from the constituency after being denied a ticket by the Congress. The son of a senior Congress leader and former Gujarat Governor Kamla, Beniwal had supported the Congress, and Gehlot, since 2018.

But the Congress did not give him a ticket this time, opting for Manish Yadav, its 2018 candidate from the seat and a Pilot loyalist. He is once again contesting as an Independent.

Johari Lal Meena (Rajgarh-Laxmangarh)

He had won the seat in 2018 on a Congress ticket. However, his chances of getting a ticket dropped after a rape case was filed against him.

Khiladi Lal Bairwa (Baseri)

Bairwa was elected MLA from the Baseri seat in 2018 and was also appointed as the chairperson of the Rajasthan SC Commission. In recent years, Bairwa was openly batting for Pilot to be made CM. He did not get a ticket this time.

Habibur Rehman (Nagaur)

He is a multiple time MLA who has hopped between the Congress and the BJP. After being elected as an MLA from the BJP in 2008 and 2013, Rehman left the party in 2018 and joined the Congress, which fielded him from Nagaur. This year, after being denied a ticket by the Congress, Rehman is contesting as an Independent.

Virendra Beniwal (Lunkaransar)

A former two-time Congress MLA from Lunkaransar, Beniwal had unsuccessfully contested the polls in 2013 and 2018. As Congress denied him a ticket, he is now an Independent.

Kailash Meena (Manohar)

Kailash Meena had unsuccessfully contested from the seat on a Congress ticket in 2013 and 2018. The script is familiar: The Congress has denied him a ticket and he is now an Independent.

Rakesh Boyat (Keshoraipatan)

Back in 2018, Boyat was the Congress candidate for Keshoraipatan but lost the election. He is contesting as an Independent, with the Congress not giving a ticket.