The mobilisation of Gujjars on the caste lines in Rajasthan has promoted divisions in the ruling Congress, with the rival factions attacking each other with the hope of getting political dominance ahead of the next year’s State Assembly election. The resentment of Gujjars on various issues, including reservation, is creating disputes and conflicts among the party leaders.
A ceremony for Asthi Visarjan (immersion of ashes) of Gujjar leader, the late Kirori Singh Bainsla, in Ajmer district’s Pushkar lake on Monday turned out to be an ugly show of factionalism in the ruling party. Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Ashok Chandna, who was heckled at the programme, directly challenged former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.
Both Mr. Chandna and Mr. Pilot belong to the Gujjar community. Thousands of people from the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) had gathered in Pushkar for the ceremony, while a public meeting was organised before the immersion of ashes. Both the Congress and the Opposition BJP leaders were present on the occasion.
