'When the best is chosen among excellent...:' Rajasthan LoP on dissatisfaction over BJP's first list of candidates

After a few leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the distribution of tickets in the BJP’s first list of candidates for poll-bound Rajasthan, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore on Wednesday said that a few issues arise when the ‘best’ is chosen among the ’excellent’ and efforts are on to pacify the leaders.

#WATCH | Jaipur | On dissatisfaction reported in the party after the release of the first list of candidates, Rajasthan LoP and BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore says, "...When the 'best' is chosen among the 'excellent', a few minor issues arise. But there is nothing as such that would… pic.twitter.com/sN2SXvZGcL

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2023

Speaking to ANI news agency, Rathore said, "…When the ‘best’ is chosen among the ’excellent’, a few minor issues arise. But there is nothing as such that would lead to a party candidate going away from the party…People are being pacified and spoken to, they will relent." The BJP) first list of 41 candidates, which was released on 10 October, sparked discontent among several party members who felt sidelined by the central leadership’s decision-making process. The day after the list was released, at least seven disappointed ticket aspirants and their supporters protested against the party. According to India Today, citing sources, the reason behind this rebellion is that former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s camp has been sidelined and the central leadership have not given tickets to candidates working for the party all year-round. Some of the seats over which discontent is brewing within the party includes that of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Rathore is facing opposition within his own party for receiving a ticket from Jhotwara. The workers, upset over Rajpal Singh Shekhawat not being given the ticket, have now taken to the streets in protest. On Sunday, while campaigning, Rajyavardhan Rathore encountered opposition on the ground as well. During this incident, Shekhawat’s supporters displayed black flags when he arrived in Jobner. In Sanchore Assembly seat, Devji Patel was given ticket while Danaram Choudhary was ignored. Last week, when Devji Patel, a three-time MP from Jalore, reached his Assembly constituency in Sanchore, people, mostly supporters of Choudhary, protested fiercely by blocking the road. Black flags were displayed, slogans were raised, and his car was also attacked. Meanwhile, Anita Singh, who served as an MLA from the Nagar Assembly seat in Bharatpur district for two consecutive terms, is upset about not receiving the party’s ticket. She announced her intention to run as an independent candidate on Sunday. After revoking Anita’s ticket, who had been a two-time MLA from the city assembly seat, the BJP granted the ticket to Jawahar Singh Bedham, who lost the election by 40,000 votes. Apart from these, there were also reports of dissatisfaction among Raje loyalists in Kishangarh, Tijara, Deoli-Uniara, Kotputli, Jhunjhunu, Lakshmangarh, Dungarpur, Vidyadhar Nagar, Bagidora Assembly seats. With inputs from agencies