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JALORE
Jalore in western Rajasthan is witnessing a keen but interesting battle of ballots between Congress and BJP candidates, both outsiders.
Jalore in western Rajasthan is witnessing a keen but interesting battle of ballots between Congress and BJP candidates, both outsiders.
BJP has fielded Sushila, wife of former party President Bangaru Laxman, to take on Congress veteran Buta Singh who has romped home from the constituency reserved for scheduled castes four times in the past.
Singh defeated Laxman by 35,924 votes in the last Lok Sabha elections but is facing challenge this time from Laxman's wife as the saffron party nominated Sushila in view of the Tehelka scam.
The constituency, consisting of eight assembly segments of Jalore and Sirohi districts, remains a Congress stronghold from where the party succeeded in battle of ballots eight time in 13 elections held so far.
Buta Singh shifted from Punjab to Rajasthan to successfully contest polls in 1984 when elections could not (not) be held in the neighbouring state then troubled with militancy.
However, BJP's Kailash Meghwal emerged as a giant killer in 1989 when he defeated Singh who was then Union Home Minister. It was the only time when Singh was defeated in Jalore.
In 1996 he did not (not) contest polls after being denied party ticket but won as an independent in 1998 polls. Returning back to his party fold Singh won the seat for Congress in 1999 elections defeating BJP leader Bangaru Laxman.
BJP won Jalore seat only once in 1989.
The constituency came into being in 1957 and Congress candidates Suraj Ratan Dhamani and Harish Chandra Mathur respectively won the first two elections before Devki Nandan Patodia of Swatantra party wrested it from Congress in 1967.
However, Narendra Kumar Sanghi clinched the seat back for Congress in 1971 polls.
The seat became reserved for scheduled castes in 1977 when Janata Party's Hukma Ram romped home riding on Janata wave.
However, Congress nominee Virda Ram won the seat in 1980 polls. The 1984 polls saw Buta Singh winning the seat and losing in the next polls in 1989. However, he returned successful in 1991 elections.
Replacing Buta Singh, Congress made Paras Ram Meghwal its nominee to win Jalore seat in 1996. However, contesting 1998 polls as an independenet candidate Singh established his hold over the cosntituency. He reuturned successful in 1999 again as a Congress nominee.
Riding high on its recent success in assembly elections BJP is banking on Bangaru Laxman's wife to wrest the seat.
The parliamentary constituency, consists of eight assembly segments of Jalore and Sirohi distrists, six of which were won by BJP in the assembly polls about five months back.
Congress is holding only Sirohi and Banihal assembly seats while six others Pindwara-Abu, Reodar, Sanchore, Raniwara, Jalore and Ahore that constitute Jalore parliamentary constituency ar held by BJP men.
