Vyas feels ‘hurt’ by Shekhawat’s words, says will fight polls

Jodhpur: The state BJP’s eldest legislator Surya Kanta Vyas of Soorsagar constituency said on Sunday that she felt hurt by the statement of Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat about her advanced age and the comparison he made between her and rebel BJP legislator Kailash Meghwal. The 85-year-old Vyas also made it clear she plans to contest the upcoming assembly polls from the constituency she is currently representing for the third term.Speaking to the media at her residence, Vyas said Shekhawat should have thought before uttering such words about her over her expression of thanks to CM Ashok Gehlot for sanctioning Rs 4.75 crore for the temple of the Pushkarna community’s kuldevi in Jodhpur. She hails from this community.“I am in BJP since the time when he (Shekhawat) was not even born. He should have thought before making a statement about my age and comparing me with Meghwal,” said Vyas, a Vasundhara Raje loyalist and six-term MLA. She termed Shekhawat’s statements as “his own perception”.The Union minister had said at a press conference on Saturday that both Meghwal and Vyas were about 90 years old and that mistakes in speech are bound to happen at such age. Vyas, appearing more determined, said she would contest the assembly elections once again from Soorsagar constituency and would win the seat again. “I will fight the election again this time. I am fully prepared and will continue fighting till I am alive,” she said, denying having ever said that it would be her last election.Her statement can cause trouble for several BJP leaders, including a former MP, a former mayor, and the city unit president, who have been looking forward to contest election for the Soorsagar seat this time.BJP sources said close to two dozen leaders have staked claims for a party ticket for Soorsagar constituency, which has been a fortress of the party in the past three assembly elections.

Shekhawat booked for remarks during BJPs yatra in Sirohi

An FIR has been registered against Union Jal Shakti Minister and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for allegedly making a false remark during BJP's Parivartan Yatra. The FIR was filed based on a complaint stating that Shekhawat made false claims about incidents during the Ram Navami yatra in Sirohi. The complaint alleges that there is no record of such incidents taking place. The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Selja indicates she is keen to contest assembly polls this time

Kumari Selja, the AICC national general secretary, has indicated her readiness to contest assembly elections in Haryana. Selja, who has never contested an assembly election in the state, has previously served as a Lok Sabha MP and a Rajya Sabha MP. She expressed her wish to contest the assembly elections and stated that the final decision would be made by the high command. Selja's indication increases the number of contenders for power within the Haryana Congress. She also highlighted the need for party unity and expressed confidence in the Congress party's strength at the grassroots level.

Kailash Meghwal suspended over graft charges against Union minister

The BJP has suspended veteran leader Kailash Meghwal from the party's primary membership following his allegations of corruption against Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Meghwal, an 89-year-old former Speaker, stated that he would defeat the BJP candidate by more than a lakh votes. Efforts were made to resolve the tension between Meghwal and Arjun Ram, but Meghwal refused to retract his statements. Meghwal has written letters to PM Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda, and the party state unit, urging them to take action against Arjun Ram. Meghwal also accused the BJP state unit of targeting supporters of former CM Vasundhara Raje.