Kirorilal Meena, Cong engaged in a war of nerves

NEW DELHI: Kirorilal Meena. The man is widely believed to have sounded the death knell of Vasundhara Raje's dream of bucking anti-incumbency in
Rajasthan while helping Ashok Gehlot form the government.
But the ambitious Meena strongman is now bargaining hard with Congress
for nominees of his choice in the tribal seats, triggering a deadlock on seven of 25 seats.

If in three months, Congress is seeing a villain in Meena after toasting him as Raje's nemesis, it speaks about the importance of one-caste parties in close electoral contests in a fragmented polity. Established political parties feel they count as much as assets as for their damage potential.

Meena emerged the leader of his community as he tapped its anger in the wake of a violent Gujjar-Meena tussle. Quickly, he emerged the retailer of its votes.

Meena is sure of his value. "BJP lost by victimising me and Congress can gain by promoting me," he told TOI.

BJP strategists concede Meena was a major reason in the assembly polls swinging towards the Congress, as he single-handedly determined the community's preference.

Having taken his help in forming the government, with his unlettered wife Golma Devi even made a minister, there is now a rethink in Congress on further propping up Meena as it is felt that pandering to his demand was only fuelling his ambitions.

Sources said a shrewd Gehlot has put his foot down against indulging `Dr Sahab' beyond Dausa and Kota, while the latter has asked for Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Kota, Churu, Sikar and Jaipur rural. This is the belt where Meenas hold clout.

It is a risky strategy, as Meena is in a position to dent the party fortunes in seven constituencies. But the dynamics of caste politics are such.

Source