BJP's Vijay Bainsla Marks Father's Death Anniversary with Ajmer Dargah Visit, Fuels Political Speculation
In a move that has stirred political circles in Rajasthan, BJP member Vijay Bainsla visited the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on Tuesday to mark the 4th death anniversary of his father, Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, the prominent Gujjar quota spearhead. Bainsla offered prayers and distributed food at the shrine, framing the act as a personal tribute to his father's memory. However, the visit quickly acquired significant political overtones, given Bainsla's current status in the state's shifting landscape.
Political Context and Personal Outreach
Vijay Bainsla, who suffered defeat in the 2023 assembly elections from the Deoli-Uniara constituency, currently holds no formal organisational position within the BJP. In this context, his recent outreach—characterized by religious symbolism and calibrated social messaging—appears strategically aimed at regaining political relevance and re-entering active politics. Observers note that the Dargah visit is not an isolated gesture; it aligns with Bainsla's recent engagement with Muslim communities and his renewed focus on OBC-MBC demands in the state's tribal sub-plan areas.
Together, these actions indicate a conscious effort to move beyond the Gurjar-centric identity that defined his father's politics and build a broader, cross-community support base for himself. Publicly, Bainsla dismissed political interpretations of the visit, calling it an act of faith and invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan, "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas." Yet, his remarks during the visit added a more layered dimension to the event.
Broader Implications and Geopolitical Undertones
During his visit, Bainsla referred to the presence of over 3 crore people of Gurjar ancestry across Pakistan and Afghanistan, stating that despite religious differences, "we are sons of the same soil." He added that the visit serves as a reminder to Gurjars across the border of their origin in Bharat, a statement with subtle geopolitical undertones that hint at a larger narrative of cultural and historical connections.
Within BJP circles, the timing and messaging of Bainsla's actions have not gone unnoticed. Insiders reveal that his recent activism is being closely tracked, particularly as the party calibrates caste equations in Rajasthan. His push for OBC-MBC reservation in tribal sub-plan regions is seen as an attempt to tap into emerging socio-political fault lines. A senior BJP functionary commented, "Bainsla is clearly trying to expand his acceptability. With the Gurjar quota issue no longer at the centre, he is exploring new constituencies."
Repositioning and Party Dynamics
Over the past few months, Bainsla's political repositioning has become more evident. From a politician rooted in a single-issue agitation, he is recasting himself as a broader social representative, balancing identity politics, welfare demands, and symbolic outreach. For the BJP, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While Bainsla holds no formal post, the legacy of his father continues to carry significant influence across eastern Rajasthan, making his moves crucial in the state's political calculus.
As Rajasthan navigates its complex caste and community dynamics, Bainsla's Dargah visit underscores a strategic pivot towards inclusivity and broader appeal. Whether this will translate into renewed political clout remains to be seen, but it certainly marks a notable chapter in his evolving political journey.
