Jats in Rajasthan are not happy as Manvendra Singh joins Congress, analyst says

Manvendra Singh, the son of late BJP leader Jaswant Singh, joined Congress party recently. His entry in Congress may undermine the importance of former parliamentarian and Jat leader Harish Choudhary, over this Congress may lose Jat votes in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, analysts said.

Harish Choudhary has influence on Jat voters and has been the face of Congress in the region for years. Whereas Manvendra Singh has significant influence over Rajput community but not over their political rivals, Jats.

Harish Choudhary defeated Manvendra Singh and was elected as the Member of Parliament in 2009. Later in 2014 Choudhary lost his seat to Col Sonaram another Jat leader who joined BJP from Congress.

Political analyst Rameshwar Singh Khangarot said, “Harish Choudhary is likely to take a back seat in the party’s state of affairs in Barmer with the excitement around Manvendra joining Congress. Jats are not happy”.

He said, “Even Harish Choudhary is said to have expressed his displeasure over this. This may have an impact on results on at least nine seats spread across Barmer and Jaisalmer districts”.

Khangarot said, “Sonaram has shown his interest to contest assembly elections from BJP. Jat votes are likely to consolidate in his favour. With Manvendra Singh in front, even supporters of Harish Choudhary may shift sides”.

Rajasthan has Assembly elections in end of the November this year and result will be declared on December 5.

On joining of Congress by Singh, Sachin Pilot, president of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee said that Mr Singh’s active participation will strengthen the party. “There is a long list of leaders quitting the BJP and the party should introspect why this is happening,”