Rajasthan is all eyes for this Rajput candidate in Pakistan polls

Rajasthan shares a 1000-kilometre border with Pakistan where elections were held on Wednesday. The state, especially Jaipur, looks on in keen interest at one particular candidate in the fray. Rana Hameer Singh Sodha contesting as a candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party from the Umerkot constituency has had close bonds with Jaipur and the Rajput community of Rajasthan. 

An erstwhile Rajput royal of the Amarkot (presently known as Umerkot), Sindh, Pakistan, Rana’s family is highly revered not just among the Hindus but among Muslims too. He is a three-time MLA who is in the fray again. The seat is reserved for minorities.   

A tall, lofty figure with a bright-coloured Rajput turban and spiked moustache, Hameer Singh has been extensively campaigning not just for himself but for other candidates of his party too in the Thar region. He is welcomed by huge crowds in the Hindu dominated areas of the Sindh region.    

Rana Hamir Singh’s mother hails from Jaipur and his son Karni Singh was married to Padmini Rathore from erstwhile royals of Kanota, near Jaipur in the year 2015. 

“The Rana is highly respected in Rajasthan and he has maintained his bonds with the state. With his son getting married in Rajasthan, the bonds have been further strengthened. We look forward to his victory,” said Rajput leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi. 

“Rana Hameer Singh has maintained his Rajput identity over the generations. We have been following his election campaign and hope he is victorious,” said Raghvendra Pratap Singh of Jhalamand, Jodhpur.   

Historically too his family holds great significance in the sub-continent. The family had given refuge to Humayun (Akbar’s father), and his wife in Amarkot in 1540. (Presently known as Umerkot), Sindh, Pakistan when he had fled to the desert region after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri in 1540. 

It is widely held that Akbar was born while his mother was in care of Rana’s ancestors.