Slapgate shakes Rajasthan, Gehlot adds fuel
Shah's seating strategy hints at BJP next move?
This week in Jaipur, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah gave a master class in balance as strategy. In a crafty move, Shah seated CM Bhajanlal Sharma on one side of him and former CM Vasundhara Raje on the other—two leaders whose political equations are under quiet scrutiny. Raje, known to be miffed with the high command since the last Assembly polls, was all smiles. Was it just courtesy, or a coded message from the top brass? Whispers suggest the party could be prepping for a national shuffle, with the next BJP national president possibly from Rajasthan. Names doing the rounds? Bhupender Yadav, and yes, Vasundhara Raje herself.
Sachin Pilot's chances in Tonk under the scanner
A fresh storm is brewing in Rajasthan politics. From the pages of a book. Ex-minister and five-time MLA Surendra Vyas is taking aim at Congress leader Sachin Pilot, questioning his intent and electoral future in Tonk. In his newly released book 'Ek Vifal Rajnitik Yatra', Vyas claims that if Pilot contests the 2028 assembly election from Tonk, even as the CM face, his defeat is inevitable. Vyas writes Pilot wants to block any strong Muslim candidate in Tonk to protect his Gurjar vote bank. 'The common Muslim in Tonk feels ashamed that they're forced to support a non-Muslim candidate against their community's interest just to stop the BJP.'
Rajesh Asnani
Our correspondent in Jaipur
rajesh.asnani@newindianexpress.com
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