Udaipur, the city of lakes, is witnessing a clash between two former ‘Sarkari Babus’ (govt servants) making their debut in politics through Lok Sabha polls in a low-key atmosphere. The polling in Udaipur is scheduled in the second phase on April 26.
BJP has relied on a retired state roadways transport officer, Manna Lal Rawat (52), to retain the seat for a third consecutive term, while Congress has expressed confidence in a retired IAS officer, Tarachand Meena (59), to break the winning streak of the saffron party. Rawat, an active member of the RSS’s Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, is known for his anti-conversion drive against Christian missionaries in tribal areas and for holding Chintan Shivir in Tribal SubPlan (TSP) areas of Rajasthan.
In his poll speech at Bhutala village before a gathering of around 100 people on Thursday, Rawat reminded people of BJP’s contribution in bringing tribal population into the mainstream and attacked Congress for exploiting the rights of tribal people. “Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the one who established the tribal welfare ministry, and the reservation in Panchayati Raj was initiated by former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, enabling the genuine involvement of tribal individuals in democracy,” said Rawat. Possessing a PhD in tribal matters from Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur, Rawat is an engaging orator, and his profound understanding of history keeps the audience engaged until the conclusion.
Meena, the Congress candidate and Rawat's rival, with a rich history of service in tribal regions, garners admiration from the audience with his strategies and concepts for tribal progress. Having previously served as the District Magistrate of Udaipur and the Commissioner of Tribal Area Development, Meena thoroughly elaborates on his proposals for each sector, ensuring that his discourse includes precise information on the initiatives he plans to execute. In his addresses, Meena presents an extensive list of accomplishments to strengthen his candidacy against his adversaries. “Even PM Modi praised my handling of the first program of the G20 Summit last year.
The Congress Chintan Shivir was successfully held in Udaipur in 2022 under my administration.
Additionally, promoting education and sports among tribals, which yielded better results, is a testament to my proven track record,” said Meena. Away from media attention, BAP candidate Prakash Chand focuses on holding small meetings in tribaldominated areas without any cavalcade to seek votes. His promises differ from those of his Congress and BJP counterparts, focusing on “Jal, Jungle, and Jameen” for indigenous (tribal) people.
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