In a significant development that has exposed internal fissures within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan, candidate Morpal Suman has leveled serious allegations of sabotage against senior party leaders, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, following his defeat in the Anta Assembly bypoll two months ago. The controversy has sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape, raising questions about party unity and internal dynamics.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Internal Sabotage
In a detailed letter addressed to BJP's Baran district president Naresh Singh Sikarwar, Suman has cited "internal sabotage" as a primary reason for his electoral loss. He specifically alleged that Om Birla's entire team engaged in campaigning "directly and indirectly" against him, working in favor of Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya. The Anta Assembly constituency, located in Baran district, shares its border with Kota, which Om Birla represents in the Lok Sabha, adding geographical significance to these claims.
Specific Accusations Against Multiple Leaders
Suman's letter, which has been marked to top party leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former party president J P Nadda, current party chief Nitin Nabin, and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, contains multiple specific allegations:
- Om Birla's team allegedly distributed large sums of money to influential leaders in Baran to influence voters against Suman
- Manoj Sharma, described as the business partner of Rajasthan Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar, is accused of distributing money and inducing voters from the Nagar and Malav communities in Sangod
- Several local BJP leaders including former district president Anand Garg, Anta Pradhan Prakhar Kaushal, former Anta Nagar Palika chairperson Rameshwar Khandelwal, and Baran panchayat samiti up-pradhan Dharmendra Yadav are accused of working against the party candidate
- Former MLA Hemraj Meena, BJP's Kisan Morcha president for Baran Mukesh Dhakad, and party's ST Morcha district president Dharmveer Meena also face similar allegations
Political Motivations Behind the Alleged Sabotage
Suman has suggested that political ambitions within the party may have driven the alleged sabotage. He claimed there was widespread discussion that if he defeated the Congress candidate, he had a strong chance of being appointed as a minister. This prospect, according to Suman, prompted three MLAs from the district—Pratap Singh Singhvi (Chhabra), Lalit Meena (Kishanganj), and Radheshyam Bairwa (Baran Atru)—to "collectively attempt to defeat me, both directly and indirectly."
The BJP candidate further alleged that most MLA ticket aspirants themselves worked against him and the party, urging disciplinary action against all those who acted against party interests. He also criticized the Election Commission observer for not being fair, claiming that the Congress candidate and independent candidate extensively used horse-drawn vehicles, elephants, and DJ vehicles during campaigning.
Electoral Context and Background
The Anta bypoll results saw Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya winning with 69,571 votes, securing a margin of 15,612 votes over Suman, who received 53,959 votes. Interestingly, Congress rebel Naresh Meena stood a close third with 53,800 votes, just 159 votes less than Suman, indicating a highly competitive electoral landscape.
Before the bypoll, Suman held various posts within the party and belongs to the Mali community, which wields considerable influence in the region. His proximity to the RSS and low-profile nature were considered significant factors behind his candidacy from Anta.
Broader Implications for BJP in Rajasthan
This controversy follows earlier indications of discontent within the BJP ranks in the area. Seven-time BJP MLA Pratap Singh Singhvi had previously alleged that the party ignored him during campaigning despite his constituency, Chhabra, being in Baran district. Ahead of polling, Singhvi had written to then BJP president J P Nadda, complaining about not being included in the list of star campaigners and not being assigned any responsibilities despite being part of the poll committee.
The internal discord was further evident when ministers Heeralal Nagar and Madan Dilawar, who are from the area, did not join the campaign. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje led the campaign after initial hesitation, highlighting the complex power dynamics within the state BJP unit.
These developments underscore the challenges facing the BJP in maintaining party cohesion and discipline, particularly in the aftermath of electoral setbacks. The allegations have brought to the forefront issues of internal coordination, leadership conflicts, and the need for stronger organizational mechanisms to prevent such controversies in future elections.
