Is Hanuman Beniwal Increasing Jat Troubles in Rajasthan?

In my assembly constituency, an emerging, talented 28-year-old Jat youth student leader of Rajasthan, Mukesh Bhakar, is contesting as the Congress candidate. Mukesh comes from an ordinary farming and military family. Mukesh’s grandfather and his 3 other brothers—a total of 4 brothers—served in the Indian Army and fought in the 1962 war. Mukesh’s father was a soldier and fought in the Kargil War. Mukesh contested the election for president of Rajasthan University but lost. Rajasthan University is referred to as the state's mini-assembly. Yet the very next year, by his own strength, Mukesh secured the student union president's post at Rajasthan University for his candidate.

Mukesh has served as the State President of Rajasthan NSUI. He has been a National Secretary of the Youth Congress. Presently, he is the Vice President of the Youth Congress. By serving as Congress in-charge across several states in the country, Mukesh proved his mettle at the national level. Mukesh is also regarded as close to Hanuman Beniwal, the most formidable Jat farmer leader of Nagaur district and the state.

The twist in the tale comes when, opposing young Mukesh contesting the assembly election from my constituency, Hanuman Beniwal fields an exceptionally powerful Jat candidate from his party, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP)—the son of a former Agriculture Minister of Rajasthan...

The second twist in the story occurs when not a single candidate is fielded by the RLP against Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, and Rajendra Singh Rathore!!

Whereas ....

Among the core planks upon which the RLP was founded, the primary objective was to defeat Pilot, Gehlot, Vasundhara, and Rathore at the hustings and force them into political retirement!!

Even further, from the very Khinvsar (Nagaur) where Hanuman Beniwal hails from and serves as MLA, the jagirdar (feudal landholder) of that same Khinvsar, Gajendra Singh ji, is a two-time BJP MLA from Lohawat (Jodhpur) and a sitting minister. Gajendra Singh ji is also regarded as an arch-rival of Hanuman Beniwal. Yet, even against Gajendra Singh ji, the RLP has not fielded its candidate in the electoral fray.

In its very stronghold of Nagaur district, the RLP has not fielded candidates in 4 out of 10 seats. The pivot of politics across Rajasthan, including western Rajasthan, revolves around Nagaur district and its 10 major assembly constituencies. The RLP has largely pitted its candidates against contenders from its own community.

Is one then to infer that ....

The primary objective/target of the RLP is/was not Gehlot, Vasundhara, Pilot, Rathore, or Khimsar ji, but rather the emerging young faces or stalwart leaders of its own community!! All so that the RLP chief faces no impediment in the future within the politics of a particular caste and can reign supreme across the state as the undisputed leader of farmers.

Is ascending to the summit of power solely on the sympathy of the community their only goal?

Pardon me, but the situation is thoroughly grave...

Questions will inevitably be raised!!

 - Shri Ritesh Pragyansh, the author is an astute observer of Rajasthan politics

A dead river revived in Jaipur - Dravyavati