The Hindu : National : Tickets for sale in Rajasthan, alleges Shekhawat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Tickets for sale in Rajasthan, alleges Shekhawat

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, talking informally to journalists at Kota, said he would prefer returning to active politics if his health permitted. As he was not a member of any party now, he was yet to decide on his political affiliation for the Lok Sabha polls, Mr. Shekhawat said.

He said his name might figure in the “list of probable candidates for Jaipur.”

Asked about his claim for the Prime Minister’s post, Mr. Shekhawat denied that he staked his claim for premiership at any point of time in the past. Later, he said at Tonk while returning to Jaipur that he might consider contesting from Tonk if the party workers so desired.

Mr. Shekhawat alleged that ticket was sold in the BJP camp for contesting the Rajasthan Assembly elections. “The BJP-led government did not take certain issues seriously which it should have. It resulted in the party’s defeat.”

“Own mistakes”

Making his remarks for the first time after the BJP was trounced in the State, Mr. Shekhawat said the BJP’s defeat “for no reason other than its own mistakes” left the party activists dismayed. It was unfortunate that ticket was not only not given to the deserving candidates but was also “sold.”

He avoided questions whether the former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was involved in the sale of ticket.

Describing corruption as the biggest challenge in the country, the former Vice-President said he would launch a nationwide struggle against the scourge if he chose not to fight the Lok Sabha elections.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National