Battle lines drawn within families

RAJKOT: Family members fighting an election from opposite camps has not been unheard of with the most famous example being that of Madhavrao Scindia and Rajmata Vijyaraje Scindia, members of the Gwalior royal family, who fought their electoral battle from different political parties.
Now in this election, Rajkot-1 will see daggers drawn between a brother and sister --Manohersinh Jadeja, Congressman against whom his sister Mohiniba is campaigning for the BJP.In Rajkot-2, the battle is between a father and daughter -- Kashmira Nathwani of the Congress is pitted against her father Chiman Shukla who is campaigning for the BJP.
While Jadeja has been a Congressman all his life, his sister has been actively campaigning for the BJP in the last couple of elections. Says Manohersinh, Congress'' candidate from Rajkot-1 who is seeking a reelection, "I am not hurt at all by her campaigning for the BJP as two individuals have a right to have different view points. She had campaigned against Congress candidate Ashwin Mehta too when he had contested the Rajkot-2 by-election. But I hold no grudge against her."
However, sources close to Jadeja say that campaigning by Mohiniba could adversely affect party''s chances on the poll day. They admit though that the siblings never washed their dirty linen in public. Mohiniba, on her part, refused to comment on the subject.
Meanwhile, in Rajkot-2, it is going to be a duel between a father and his daughter who are in rival camps.
While Kashmira Nathwani is the Congress candidate Rajkot-2 against Vala, her father and brother are Bharatiya Janata Party loyalists. Says Nathwani, "No father will campaign against his daughter. We keep a distance even when we meet in public," says Kashmira.
"That''s how today''s politics is fought," she lamented. e camps. She further said, "I have not talked or met my father in the last couple of days. I will talk to him after December 12, once voting is over. If I talk to him right now it will send wrong signals."
However,when contacted Kashmira''s brother Kashyap Shukla said, "We have asked the party (BJP) to assign us party work anywhere in Saurashtra. Presently, I am campaigning for Rajkot-1, but if the party wants me to, I am prepared to campaign against my sister in Rajkot-2."
It is also no secret that Chiman Shukla went to Khajuraho during the infamous flight by Shankersinh Vaghela and his supporters in the past.
He was suspended from the Bharatiya Janata Party for six years and now when the party is facing rough weather in Rajkot, the BJP high command has decided to revoke his suspension. Chimanbhai''s son Kashyap was also an active member of the Congress until he returned to the BJP fold with his father.
Sources close to the Shukla family maintain that one of the reasons for the father and son to rejoin the BJP is the fact that Kashyap is a strong contender for the Congress ticket in either Rajkot-1 or 2 which was resented by Kashmira which soured their relationship.