The list of individuals approached so far includes “rebel” candidates Rohitash Sharma, Chandrabhan Singh Akhya and Ravindra.
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BJP’s election in-charge in Rajasthan, Pralhad Joshi, is said to be overseeing the initiative to also rope in Bhartiya Adivasi Party, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and BSP, who are together projected to win 10-odd seats. Exit polls peg their combined tally at between 6 and 10 seats.
The current leader of the opposition Rajendra Rathore, his deputy Satish Poonia, and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat are adding heft to the bid to get some Independents with winning potential and a few parties on board before the race to form the next government gathers steam. BJP is presuming that rebel candidates who didn’t directly challenge the party despite being refused tickets could be the first to fall in line.
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“Independents like Akhya and Bhati had never spoken out against the central party leadership. Akhya, in fact, has always expressed faith in PM Narendra Modi. Even during his campaign, people saw him as BJP’s foot soldier,” said a party leader.
Shekhawat is reaching out to Independent candidates from the western part of the state. “He is in touch with at least five candidates who stand a chance of winning the seats they contested. He played a role in the campaign and can be expected to step in if and when there is a job to be done,” an aide said.
