In Rajasthan’s Banswara, Congress fights own candidate, even as its regional ally dogs BJP

In the heart of Rajasthan’s tribal belt, the BJP and the eight-month-old Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) seem to be neck-and-neck in their fight for the Banswara Lok Sabha constituency even as the Congress has been forced to campaign against its own candidate.

The Congress was dealt a huge blow in February, virtually taking it out of the race in Banswara — which votes on Friday — after its four-time MLA from Bagidora, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, crossed over to the BJP along with 150 of his supporters. Malviya is now contesting the Lok Sabha polls from the seat as the BJP nominee.

While Malviya’s departure prompted the Congress to align with the BAP, the tie-up happened only in the hours before the nominations closed. Consequently, even as it extended support to the BAP’s Rajkumar Roat, the Congress’s Arvind Damor, who had already filed his nomination, refused to withdraw and remains in the fray officially as a Congress candidate.

A BAP leader admitted the fear that many Congress voters may choose Damor, based on the symbol.

The Banswara Lok Sabha seat has eight Assembly segments under it. The BJP holds four (Dungarpur, Sagwara, Garhi and Bagidora), the Congress three (Ghatol, Banswara and Kushalgarh) and BAP (Chorasi).

Voters, who have for long been staunch supporters of Malviya, are divided after his switch to the BJP. “Roat (two-time MLA from Chorasi) and the BAP have been raising our issues in the Assembly and work on the ground. We will vote for the BAP,” says Kesri Mal of Jagpura village, which falls under the Ghatol Assembly seat.

Malviya’s move has also triggered worries among a section of tribals. “We have been firmly behind him so far, but now his crossing over to the BJP has people worried that he may change his stance