Jaipur: The defeat of BJP’s leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore and former state president Satish Poonia in the assembly polls has raised questions about their roles in the party. A seven-time MLA, Rathore faced his first defeat in electoral politics in a career spanning 33 years. He had changed his seat from Churu to Taranagar on the party’s insistence, a change that cost him dearly.
“The party survey found him suitable to contest from Taranagar.Surveys gave him an upper edge over all other potential candidates. The battle, however, turned into a caste war, and he lost the polls,” said an aide of his.
The defeat has cost the party a troubleshooter in the assembly. Rathore was twice parliamentary affairs minister (2003–2008 and 2013–2018) in BJP-led state governments. His influence in the party had risen in the last five years, from deputy leader of opposition to leader of the opposition.
“The party will give him a position as per his status in the organization, and anything less than a chance in the electoral ranks would undermine his position. His aides in the organization have started discussing him as the candidate for the Lok Sabha from Jaipur Rural,” said a party leader.
TOI called Rathore’s office for his comments but he was not available.
Poonia, a strong Jat face, is known for pulling crowds of thousands. His defeat is a setback for the party. In the last three years, he campaigned in Jat-dominated areas of western Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat. Expressing his disappointment, he stated in a note on social media, “I have been forced to decide that in the future I will not work for the people of the Amber region. I cannot provide time for the workers, and I have requested the party to appoint qualified persons to serve at Amber.”
Sources said BJP has already pitched him for a campaign in Jat-dominated seats in UP and Haryana for the Lok Sabha polls next year. TNN
We also published the following articles recently
“The party survey found him suitable to contest from Taranagar.Surveys gave him an upper edge over all other potential candidates. The battle, however, turned into a caste war, and he lost the polls,” said an aide of his.
The defeat has cost the party a troubleshooter in the assembly. Rathore was twice parliamentary affairs minister (2003–2008 and 2013–2018) in BJP-led state governments. His influence in the party had risen in the last five years, from deputy leader of opposition to leader of the opposition.
“The party will give him a position as per his status in the organization, and anything less than a chance in the electoral ranks would undermine his position. His aides in the organization have started discussing him as the candidate for the Lok Sabha from Jaipur Rural,” said a party leader.
TOI called Rathore’s office for his comments but he was not available.
Poonia, a strong Jat face, is known for pulling crowds of thousands. His defeat is a setback for the party. In the last three years, he campaigned in Jat-dominated areas of western Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat. Expressing his disappointment, he stated in a note on social media, “I have been forced to decide that in the future I will not work for the people of the Amber region. I cannot provide time for the workers, and I have requested the party to appoint qualified persons to serve at Amber.”
Sources said BJP has already pitched him for a campaign in Jat-dominated seats in UP and Haryana for the Lok Sabha polls next year. TNN
We also published the following articles recently
Taranagar constituency election result 2023: Congress’s Narendra Budania leads over Rajendra Rathore of BJP
The Taranagar assembly constituency is part of the Churu Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by the BJP. In the 2023 Rajasthan elections, the BJP and Congress are competing for power in Jaipur. The ongoing counting shows INC’s Narendra Budania leading with over 8,000 votes, while BJP’s Rajendra Rathore is in second place. In the previous election, INC’s Budaniya won in Taranagar, with BJP’s Rakesh Jangir as the runner-up. In the 2013 elections, BJP’s Jai Narayan Pooniya emerged victorious in Taranagar.
The Taranagar assembly constituency is part of the Churu Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by the BJP. In the 2023 Rajasthan elections, the BJP and Congress are competing for power in Jaipur. The ongoing counting shows INC’s Narendra Budania leading with over 8,000 votes, while BJP’s Rajendra Rathore is in second place. In the previous election, INC’s Budaniya won in Taranagar, with BJP’s Rakesh Jangir as the runner-up. In the 2013 elections, BJP’s Jai Narayan Pooniya emerged victorious in Taranagar.
Rajasthan: BJP top guns Rathore, Poonia, Cong’s Joshi, Raghu Sharma falter
Rajendra Rathore and Satish Poonia from the BJP, along with CP Joshi and Raghu Sharma from the Congress, lost in the assembly poll results. Poonia lost to Congress’ Prashant Sharma, Rathore came second to Narendra Budania, Rajvi was relegated to third position by BJP rebel Chandraban Singh Akya, and Joshi lost to BJP’s Vishwaraj Singh Mewar. Another Congress heavyweight Raghu Sharma was beaten by BJP’s Shatrughan Gautam.
Rajendra Rathore and Satish Poonia from the BJP, along with CP Joshi and Raghu Sharma from the Congress, lost in the assembly poll results. Poonia lost to Congress’ Prashant Sharma, Rathore came second to Narendra Budania, Rajvi was relegated to third position by BJP rebel Chandraban Singh Akya, and Joshi lost to BJP’s Vishwaraj Singh Mewar. Another Congress heavyweight Raghu Sharma was beaten by BJP’s Shatrughan Gautam.
Congress leader Udit Raj blames EVMs for party’s defeat in 3 state polls
Congress leader blames EVMs for defeat in key states; Congress Dalit leader Udit Raj blames EVMs for unexpected result; NCP leader Ajit Pawar expects INDIA alliance to blame EVMs; BJP spokesperson criticizes Congress for denying Telangana result; Pawar defends EVM integrity and questions blame on EVMs; BJP leader Fadnavis claims Congress will blame EVMs for poll loss
Congress leader blames EVMs for defeat in key states; Congress Dalit leader Udit Raj blames EVMs for unexpected result; NCP leader Ajit Pawar expects INDIA alliance to blame EVMs; BJP spokesperson criticizes Congress for denying Telangana result; Pawar defends EVM integrity and questions blame on EVMs; BJP leader Fadnavis claims Congress will blame EVMs for poll loss
