Jaipur: With just two days left for filing nominations for the urban local body elections, BJP is facing signs of rebellion and discontent across several parts of the state, with party members protesting over ticket distribution and prominent members switching sides.The deadline for filing nominations is Aug 31, while BJP has not yet officially released the complete list of its candidates, adding to uncertainty and discontent among aspirants.The ruling party suffered a significant setback in Pali, the home district of BJP state president Madan Rathore, with former municipal council chairperson Rakesh Bhati leaving the saffron party Saturday and joining Congress.Bhati, whose wife is the sitting mayor of Pali and who has served as council chairperson, joined Congress at a programme held at Pradesh Congress Committee war room in Jaipur. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully formally inducted him into the party. Pali MLA Bhimraj Bhati of Congress, district president Shishupal Singh Nimbada and election observer Hem Singh Shekhawat were present.Bhati’s exit has attracted attention as he comes from Rathore’s home district and belongs to Ghanchi community. “His family has remained active in Pali’s local-body politics, with his wife having served as the sitting mayor. His local network among workers was significant,” said a source.BJP is facing dissent in other parts of the state also. In Udaipur, party workers in ward 3, considered a BJP stronghold, protested the candidature of what they described as a “parachute candidate”. They took out a rally to register their opposition before the election core committee.In Bhilwara, BJP Mahila Morcha office-bearers staged a protest alleging nepotism in ticket distribution. The protest began Friday evening and continued till Saturday, with women functionaries accusing the party leadership of favouring family members in candidate selection.In Ajmer, former two-time mayor Dharmendra Gehlot left BJP a few days ago. On Saturday, his wife filed her nomination as an independent candidate, adding to the challenges facing the party ahead of urban elections.BJP now faces the task of keeping its organisation united and containing resentment before the nomination process ends. Jaipur division in charge and former minister Prabhu Lal Saini sought to play down the discontent, saying, “Dissatisfaction during elections and the subsequent return of workers to the party is a normal process. The party has also formed a damage-control team to address possible rebellion and resentment.” Saini added, “BJP would release its candidate list for the entire state at the same time.”
