20 rebels in fray, may upset apple cart of ruling Congress

TNN / Updated: Nov 11, 2023, 06:24 IST

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Congress is facing a tough challenge in the upcoming elections as around 20 rebels from the party are contesting against its nominees. The party has tried to persuade them to withdraw their nominations but they have refused. The party hopes that even if some rebels win, they will support Congress. The rebellion is particularly strong in seats like Sheo, Rajgarh-Laxmangarh, Baseri, Shahpura, Siwana, and Lunkaransar. These rebels pose a threat to the party's chances of winning in these constituencies.

20 rebels in fray, may upset apple cart of ruling Congress

Rebels Virendra Beniwal and Khiladi Lal Bairwa

JAIPUR: Around 20 Congress rebels, who are in the fray, seriously challenging the party's nominees. Congress deputed central leaders to talk to the rebels and withdraw their nominations, but they refused to toe the party line. Now, the party hopes that even if some of them win they will support Congress.
Sheo seat of Barmer is the hottest seat where the Congress has repeated its siting MLA 84-year-old Ameen Khan where Congress rebel and DCC president Fathe Khan is now playing spoilsport.There are two BJP rebel candidates who may queer the pitch for the octogenarian.
In Rajgarh-Laxmangarh, Joharilal Meena, present Congress MLA, is contesting the elections as a rebel after being denied party ticket. Party fielded Mange Lal Meena, a retired engineer replacing the sitting MLA after his son was accused in a rape case. Sidelined Congress MLA and staunch Pilot loyalist Khiladi Lal Bairwa is now contesting as an Independent from the Baseri seat in Dholpur district. He had resigned as chairman of the SC commission after being denied the party ticket.
Similarly, Alok Beniwal, son of veteran Congress leader Kamla Beniwal, is in the fray from Shahpura seat in Jaipur district. Beniwal last time also contested as an Independent and won. He supported the Congress government. But the party this time didn't favour him with the ticket but gave ticket to Manish Yadav whom Beniwal defeated last time.

Manvendra Singh, son of veeran BJP leader Jaswant Singh whom the Congress party has favoured with the party ticket from Siwana seat in Barmer is facing a hurdle.
Congress leader Sunil Parihar, a Gehlot loyalist has taken the plunge and is trying to spoil his party.
Former minister Virendra Beniwal from Lunkaransar rebelled against the Congress and is fighting the election as an Independent after Congress announced the candidature of Dr Rajendra Moond. Beniwal was elected from this seat in 2008 but had to face defeat twice in subsequent in 2013 and 2018.
Other Congress major rebel leaders in the fray include Mahendra Barjod from Chaurasi, Om Bishnoi from Sadulshahar, Kailash Meena from Manohar Thana, Durg Singh from Khimsar among others.

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