Jaipur: Congress is desperate to unseat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Centre.
But some of its decisions are baffling at times, leaving many wondering how they are going to give the super-organised BJP a run for its money in the Lok Sabha elections.
Consider the scenario in Rajasthan’s tribal-dominated Banswara-Dungarpur Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan, where the grand old party is appealing to the electorate not to vote for its candidate, reported PTI.
The reason?
Despite fielding its own candidate Arvind Damor, Congress — after several flip-flops — decided to support Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) candidate Rajkumar Roat a day before the last date of withdrawal of nominations.
Following the party’s late decision to support BAP candidate, Damor was supposed to withdraw his nomination papers.
But he didn’t make an appearance.
Later, speaking to newspersons, Damor feigned ignorance about the developments and declared he would contest the election.
Hence, what should have been a bipolar contest between BJP and Congress-BAP alliance has turned into a three-way fight, with Damor most likely to divide Congress votes.
That will give BJP candidate Mahendrajit Singh Malviya a clear edge.
It’s a perfect example of shooting oneself on the foot!
Banswara-Dungarpur, a reserved seat for Scheduled Tribes, will go to polls in the second phase, on April 26.