| Rajput community rues non representation | | Cabinet expansion, re-shuffle | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 16: In what could be perceived as a major political mistake, the ruling National Conference and its ally Congress party while focusing on "Mission 2014" have virtually failed to carry members of Rajput community on board.
Yesterday's much awaited Cabinet re-shuffle and expansion witnessed non-inclusion of a person from Rajput community in the State Cabinet by both the coalition partners.
Furthermore surprising was to see the one who were in Cabinet were shown doors by both NC as well as Congress parties, which has brought severe criticism from the Rajput community. It is worth to mention here that earlier Congress had chosen RS Chib in the State Cabinet as Minister for Medical Education while NC had elevated SS Slathia in State Cabinet as Minister for Industry and Commerce. Both belonged to Rajput community.
Besides, Kunwar Rashpal Singh, MLA, Kalakot, who was inducted as vice-chairman of Pahari Board with Minister of State rank and MLC, Devinder Singh Rana, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have also been dropped and taken back in the party fold by NC. Devinder Singh Rana had also been given Minister of State rank by the Chief Minister.
However, the latest decision by the top brass of both NC and Congress to drop the members of Rajput community from the State Cabinet has not gone well down the line. "The decision is surprising and may cost dear to both of the coalition partners," shared political observers and further adding that "at least in Jammu Province and especially in districts like Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and parts of Jammu district there is good number of populace belonging to Rajput community. In the past, it has been closely seen as Rajput community plays an important role in deciding the victory of the candidates in couple of Assembly segments."
"The absence of a Rajput face in the State Cabinet may hamper the victories of some of the probable candidates of both NC and Congress during 2014 polls," pointed out political observers further indicating that "the ruling coalition has indirectly helped its own rival political parties, which have started propagating against the Government for such a decision".
"See, one must see the political history at least of past 15-20 years if not entire. When NC obtained 2/3rd majority in 1996, Farooq Abdullah, who became Chief Minister, elevated at least two persons from Rajput community as his Ministers. Both MK Ajatshatru Singh (now in Congress) and SS Salathia were made Ministers with important portfolios. Besides, the senior Abdullah also nominated the then BJP president, Daya Krishan Kotwal, also from Rajput community as MLC," detailed political observers.
Later, when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed headed PDP-Congress coalition in 2002, Chowdhary Lal Singh, Thakur Puran Singh of Congress, Harsh Dev Singh of JKNPP (all from Rajput community) were elevated as Ministers. When Ghulam Nabi Azad took over the reins of the State in October 2005, Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak was allocated very important portfolio of R&B department.
Now, only time will tell that how NC and Congress will woo the Rajput voters of the State in 2014 Assembly elections and how the coalition partners will defend the propaganda of opposition political parties. |
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