The statement given by Manvendra Singh Jasol, who is contesting in the assembly elections from Sivana, has added fuel to speculations that he might soon join the BJP.
Addressing the reporters on Wednesday, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of his late father Jaswant Singh Jasol, he said, “It was not my wish to contest elections from Sivana, but I contested when I was sent there. As for joining the BJP, let’s see how the situation unfolds. Supporters will decide what happens next.”
He further stated, “I do not make things public until a decision is finalised with someone.” Regarding joining the BJP, he said, “If rumours are circulating, let them circulate. I will stay where I am.”
After Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the Chief Minister, there were strong indications of Jaswant Singh joining the BJP. There were political disagreements between him and Vasundhara Raje, and the party neither made Raje the Chief Minister nor gave her any position in the cabinet.
It is now being said that discussions are underway between Manvendra Singh and top BJP leaders.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the late Jaswant Singh Jasol, former Foreign and Defense Minister, wanted to contest the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha seat. However, at that time, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje got Colonel Sonaram Choudhary from the Congress to join the BJP and secured him the ticket. Since then, a struggle for pride began between Vasundhara Raje and the Jasol family.
During this period, former minister Jaswant Singh had an accident and went into a coma after slipping at home. He passed away afterwards. Due to this fight, in 2018, Manvendra Singh Jasol left the BJP and joined the Congress. After that, he contested two assembly and one Lok Sabha election but lost all three.
In 2018, Congress fielded Colonel Manvendra Singh in the assembly elections against then CM Vasundhara Raje. However, Manvendra lost the election. After that, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Barmer-Jaisalmer on a Congress ticket but lost to BJP’s Kailash Choudhary by a significant margin. In the Congress government, Manvendra was appointed as the Chairman of the Soldiers’ Welfare Board.
Colonel Manvendra Singh wanted to contest the 2023 Jaisalmer assembly elections. He had also started preparing for it.
