Defiant BJP leader Jaswant Singh to file nomination to contest from Barmer
Jaswant Singh, senior BJP leader now rebelling, will visit ancestral temples this morning before filing his nomination papers to contest the general election from Barmer in Rajasthan.
Mr Singh, 76, will have to contest as an Independent candidate since the BJP has chosen a jat leader, Col Sonaram Choudhury, who defected last week from the Congress, as its candidate from Barmer. The party says it is fielding the man more likely to win.
But Jaswant Singh said today that the party had "disrespected the wish of the people of Barmer" by rejecting his appeal that he be allowed to contest what he calls his last election, from his home constituency. "I am only following people's requests, people are urging me to take action." he added.
He has as yet shown no inclination to quit the BJP, putting his party of over three decades in a big quandary. It could be forced to expel him, which is likely to win Mr Singh sympathy at the cost of the party. To give in to Mr Singh's pressure and withdraw Col Choudhary's candidacy will be a big embarrassment in a high-stakes election.
Already, political rivals are targeting the BJP. "The new leadership of the BJP does not know how to value its best talents and finest people," said union minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Jaswant Singh has said he is insulted at the suggestion that the party would "adjust" him. "I am not a table, chair or furniture to be adjusted. The remarks smack of arrogance and are very insulting," he said yesterday.
His party colleague Arun Jaitley wrote, "At times, the party may flood leaders with privileges and positions. On other occasions, the leader may have to take "no" as an answer to his desires...He must accept the decision with a smile. This becomes a test of his loyalty and discipline."
On the other side of the party's deep divide that stands exposed are leaders like Sushma Swaraj who said, "I understand that it is not an ordinary decision and there must have been a strong reason for it. But personally, I am hurt by this decision, reason be whatsoever."