Expelled Devi Singh Bhati a threat to BJP in Bikaner

Expelled BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati could spoil the prospects of the saffron party candidates in Bikaner and Shekhawati region.

Expelled BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati, who has converted his outfit Samajik Nyaya Manch (social justice forum) into a political outfit, could spoil the prospects of the saffron party candidates in Bikaner and Shekhawati region.

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Bhati, a Rajput, who is contesting from Kolayat, a seat he won in 1998 on BJP ticket, may find it difficult to retain his place in the Assembly but may make situation favourable for the ruling Congress in at least 15 Assembly seats.

In a district of about 11 lakh voters, Rajputs have significant presence and in absence of any known leader on its side belonging to the community, BJP could suffer a setback as Bhati is working against it.

The manch's presence in the polls could hurt BJP in about 15 of the 22 Assembly seats in the region comprising Bikaner, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Churu districts.

However, infighting in congress, as is evident from sitting MP Rameshwar Lal Dudi working against his own party candidate and MLA Rewat Ram Panwar in Nokha gives some cheers to BJP.

Panwar's campaigner and office coordinator Hanuman Prasad said that the MP was openly opposing the party candidate for "personal reasons".