Lok Sabha polls: Friends-turned-foes make Churu battle quite personal
Churu Lok Sabha election has the makings of a potboiler — friends-turned-foes, caste one-upmanship and political ambition fuelling a family rivalry.
The constituency, a BJP stronghold which the party has not lost since 1999, is represented by Rahul Kaswan. The two-term MP was denied the ticket by his party and has now been fielded by Congress. BJP has fielded paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia. Interestingly, however, it is not Jhajharia who seems to be in contest here but the former leader of Opposition and BJP's seven-term MLA Rajendra Singh Rathore. Despite the best efforts of the Rajput strongman, it has become a Kaswan versus Rathore face-off.
ET caught up with Kaswan in Hamusar village near Churu as he campaigned and exhorted the electors to punish his former party for its arrogance. «What is this? Arrogance only when they say 'Ab ki baar, chaar sau paar' (this time 400-plus seats) — who should decide this? The voters, not them,» he said.
The 47-year-old MP has made it a personal issue. «My family has been representing the interests of Churu and working for the people for decades. We got into politics because of (erstwhile three-time chief minister) Bhairon Singhji and now after 35 years the party has suddenly decided we are of no use? I can't suddenly stop working for the people,» said Kaswan.
How difficult is it to justify to people the sudden change of party? «Not at all. Because they know it is not a party that they need but a person who will work for them,» he said.
Behind the fight is an
