Ready to take any responsibility entrusted by next government: Rathore

Olympian shooter-turned-politician Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore of BJP has defeated AICC General Secretary CP Joshi by a huge margin of 3,32,896 votes in Jaipur (Rural) seat. A former Army officer, Rathore secured 6,32,930 votes while C P Joshi got 3,00,034 votes.

Considered to be a close advisor of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Joshi was shifted from Bhilwara Lok Sabha seat where he won the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Joshi had lost Nathdwara Assembly seat in 2008 by just one vote.

Reacting on his victory, Rathore said he was ready to take any responsibility given to him by their “captain” Narendra Modi. The celebrated double-trap shooter, who joined BJP in September last year after taking voluntary retirement from the Army, said providing ‘siksha’, ‘rojgar’ and ‘paani’ (education, jobs and water) in his constituency would be his top agenda.

“It is up to the captain to take the decision. Whether it comes with or without a post, I am ready to take any responsibility given to me in the next government,” Rathore told PTI in the middle of celebrations at Jaipur.

Speaking about Modi, Rathore said, “The people’s verdict is out. Modi is no more a mere person. He has become the symbol of development, commitment and nationalism.” With his victory, Rathore has become the first individual Olympic medallist to win a Lok Sabha seat.

Earlier, 1972 hockey bronze medallist Aslam Sher Khan had won a Lok Sabha seat in 1984 from Betul constituency in Madhya Pradesh. Asked to compare his Olympic victory with winning Lok Sabha seat on debut, Rathore said, “Earlier my success was limited to myself, but through this success, now I can serve the whole country.”

Rathore said his clean image and Army background helped him in winning people’s trust. “They have voted for me seeing my clean image, commitment and ability to work,” Rathore said.

Rathore said his priority would be to work for his constituency Jaipur Rural but at the same time he’s ready to take any responsibility given to him by their “captain” Narendra Modi.

The celebrated double trap shooter, who joined BJP in September last year after taking voluntary retirement from the Indian Army, may be seen to get the sports minister’s portfolio but Rathore said providing “siksha, rojgar and paani” in his constituency would top the agenda.

“It’s up to the captain to take the decision but it’s the time to work together and shoulder responsibilities. Be it with or without a post, I’m ready to take responsibility given to me in the next government,” Rathore told PTI in the middle of a celebration with wife Gayithri and people of Jaipur.

Rathore became the first individual Olympic medalist to win an LS seat. 1972 hockey bronze medalist Aslam Sher Khan had earlier won.

For somebody who had compared joining politics like diving into deep sea without a “life jacket”, Rathore said it was another challenge he liked and thanked Modi for guiding him all the way.

“It did feel diving into deep sea without a life jacket but I was fully confident with the top leadership of Narendra Modiji at the helm. The people’s verdict is out. Modi is no more a mere person. He has become the symbol of development, committment and nationalism.

“He truly symbolises the idea of ‘Ghar Ghar Modi’. We saw that in the results that the nation cannot go wrong.”

Asked to compare winning LS on debut with his silver medal at the Olympics, Rathore said: “Earlier, my success was limited to myself but now if I become a part of the country then it will feel immense proud. It’s about serving the nation through politics.”

The former Armyman further said his clean image and Army background had helped him winning people’s trust.

“Life has been full of challenges, right from the war battle in the border, to winning a (silver) medal at the (Athens 2004) Olympics. It has been a tremendous experience.

Rathore thanked the people for their overwhelming support.

“I thank the people of India and my constituency for having faith in me. I will try my best to live up to my people’s expectation. I have utmost value for the people of my constituency and India.”

“My first priority is to work for the people of my constituency. Education, youth employment and water for drinking and agriculture would top the my priority list.”

For Rathore, the character of a person is of equal importance.

“The result has shown that the character of a person holds great importance. The image of being a soldier first and then sportsman was demonstrated in my win. They have voted for me seeing my clean image, commitment and the ability to work,” Rathore added.

PTI