Former Rajasthan minister Hemaram Chaudhary (file pic)
A former Rajasthan minister who was to be a key candidate for the Congress in the December 1 state polls has gone missing a day before the filing of nominations ends.
Hemaram Chaudhary, who had resigned earlier this year as revenue minister in Ashok Gehlot's cabinet, is 'hiding in Ahmedabad" say party sources.
An important Jat leader from western Rajasthan, the 65-year-old politician was reportedly upset as the party was not giving one of his proteges, Balaram, a chance to contest the polls from Siwan.
Sources say the Congress is trying to placate Mr Chaudhary and persuade him to file his papers before the deadline gets over this evening. He is the party's candidate for the Gudamalami seat.
The veteran leader is prone to tantrums, say party leaders. He had raised eyebrows two weeks ago with an acerbic letter to the Congress leadership declaring, "I don't want to fight elections because politics is dirty."
Mr Chaudhury had resigned this July to protest against the shifting of an oil refinery in Barmer.
If he doesn't contest, the Congress fears losing a sizeable chunk of Jat votes, especially in the Barmer district.