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Rajasthan: Ex-MP Jyoti faces heat from Mirdha clan, Congress MLAs

JAIPUR: The Congress is in a fix over deciding its candidate for Nagaur Lok Sabha seat, as its own local leaders, including sitting MLAs, are opposing the candidature of former MP Jyoti Mirdha. Besides Jyoti, two more from the Mirdha clan— the Congress’ prominent political family from the Jat heartland—are vying for Congress ticket from Nagaur.




Jyoti’s uncles and former ministers Richhpal Mirdha and Harendra Mirdha are opposing her and are seeking the party ticket for themselves, making it difficult for the Congress to pick its candidate on the seat.

Jyoti is the granddaughter of late Nathuram Mirdha, a prominent Congress politician of his time. Richhpal is Nathuram’s nephew. Harendra Mirdha, a former minister, is son of Ram Niwas Mirdha, another prominent Congress politician of the Mirdha clan.

In the recent assembly elections, Vijayapal Mirdha, son of Richhpal Mirdha, won the Degana assembly seat on Congress ticket. Richhpal was denied the assembly ticket as he had lost twice on the Congress ticket in the past. The other two claimants—Jyoti and Harendra—say Richhpal’s claim for the Nagaur Lok Sabha seat has no basis.

The problem for Jyoti is not just the challenge from Harendra Mirdha but also from local Congress leaders, including the party’s MLAs. They allege that after her defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections , Jyoti failed to nurse her constituency.

A local Congress MLA, on condition of anonymity, said, “She never looked after the constituency once she lost from here. Only during the assembly elections in December, she was seen in the constituency.” He claimed that the voters do not like such absentee leaders. “She had abused politics and politicians by using a derogatory word,” the MLA said.

Another Congress MLA said, “She never attended any party function in the last five years. When the party sought our opinion for shortlisting candidates on the seat, we gave an honest feedback which is against Jyoti Mirdha.”

Despite several attempts, Jyoti could not be contacted for her reaction.

In their fight over the ticket, Nagaur Zila pramukh Sunita Chaudhary seems to be the front-runner for party seat.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot’s meetings with RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal have led to speculations that Congress may spring surprise by tying up with Rahstriya Loktantrik Party leader and MLA Hanuman Beniwal for the Nagaur seat. A tie-up with Beniwal’s party can improve Congress’ prospects on the neighbouring Jodhpur Lok Sabha from where the CM exploring possibilities of launching his son Vaibhav Gehlot.

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