Kirori to back a dozen candidates

JAIPUR/TONK-SAWAI MADHOPUR: Todabhim MLA and Independent candidate from Dausa, Kirorilal Meena, on Monday said that he will support close to a dozen candidates, including a few from Congress in the Lok Sabha elections. He stated that the proximity of Pradesh Congress Committee president and Congress candidate from Bhilwara, C P Joshi and Jitendra Singh, candidate from Alwar, with Gandhi's, Sonia and Rahul', was one of the reasons to support them.
"I'll be supporting around 12 candidates in the elections, which include Congressmen C P Joshi, Jitendra Singh, Sachin Pilot, Raghuveer Meena and Namonarain Meena.As I had promised to support candidates of clean image, I will support Sachin Pilot and Raghuveer Meena even though they are contesting on Congress symbol," said Kirori, adding, "Joshi and Singh too are clean people who talk straight. Also they are close to the Gandhi's, this too is one reason to support them."
Kirori has extended support to Namonarain Meena because of Kirori Singh Bainsla entering the poll fray.
The other people he'll support are three-time MP from Bayana Ganga Ram Kohli, who is contesting from Karauli-Dholpur, BSP candidate from Pali, Shambu Singh Khetsar, JD(U) candidate from Bharatpur, Prabhulal Rawat. "I'll support ex-MLA Shubash Chandra who's contesting as Independent from Jaipur Rural, if he comes forward seeking my support and will clear more names in a day or two," said Kirori.
He was firm on his stand of contesting as Independent and reiterated that there was no question of withdrawing from Dausa or accepting a Rajya Sabha candidature as suggested by Parsadi Lal Meena. "I prefer to be Todabhim MLA rather than being a back door entrant to Rajya Sabha. I have made a commitment to the people of Dausa and there is no question of stepping backwards."
Reacting on Kirori's stand to support his candidature all that C P Joshi had to say was, "Let's wait till April 22, the date of withdrawal." Congress spokesperson Satyendra Raghav taking Joshi's stand ahead added, "The Congress is confused about Kirorilal Meena's moves. We are hoping that he'll withdraw else we'll campaign against him."
Meanwhile, Kirori's move to support Sachin Pilot is seen as his ploy to win support of Gujjar voters in Dausa, as he has no mass appeal in Ajmer from where Sachin is Congress nominee. Sachin lost his present constituency to ST category after delimitation. It was learnt that Sachin camp was least enthused about Kiriori's unilateral move to support them in Ajmer.
It will be interesting to see how the Congress responds to their ally's move, who's partly supporting their men based on their connections and others who are contesting against their candidates.