Rajputs to protest against Raje's pre poll yatra

BJP’s once loyalist vote bank the Rajput community in Rajasthan has decided to protest against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's 40 days long Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra across the state.

Rajput Sabha president Giriraj Lotwara said, "She (Raje) has played with the emotions of Rajput community. We have been treated badly. We will protest against her poll yatra". Rajput outfits Mewar Kshatriya Mahasabha and Vagad Kshatriya Mahasabha are planning to take out anti-Raje rally in Udaipur and nearby area a day before Raje's Gaurav yatra begins in the same Mewar belt.

Demands

The reason behind the resentment among Rajput's towards Raje and BJP is state government's opposition to the appointment of Union Agriculture Minister for State Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the state BJP chief. Shekhawat happens to be a Rajput leader from Jodhpur.

Other reasons include alleged fake encounter of gangster Anand Pal Singh, a local Rajput hero, screening of movie Padmavat across the country and rift with the royal family of Jaipur over Raj Mahal Palace hotel.

Moreover, Rajputs are also demanding the inclusion of their community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) for reservation in jobs and educational institutions.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje will cover a distance of 6054 km during her statewide Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra. Raje will begin her electoral campaign by paying obeisance at the Charbhuja Nath temple where BJP's National President Amit Shah will also be present to flag off the yatra.