Jaipur: Age, successive defeats pen political obituary of Congress stalwarts

The historic victory of BJP indicates uncertain political future for several Congress stalwarts for whom this election seemed last and final. Growing age and consecutive failures have subdued their all hopes of resurgence on the political scene.  

That could be a reason why none expressed surprise when PCC chief Chandrabhan resigned on Sunday following his and party’s defeat in the Assembly elections. 

Earlier, Chandrabhan had lost the election from Malpura constituency in 2008 and Todabhim in 2003.

This time, going against Rahul Gandhi’s concept of one-man-one-post, the party gave him ticket from Mandawa only after assurance from prominent leader Sis Ram Ola. After Sunday’s loss, Chandrabhan’s security amount too got forfeited. 

Now it seems improbable that the party would give him ticket in next elections owing to his consecutive defeats and growing age.

The Congress man-in-charge of Hadauti region, Shanti Dhariwal, also appears to be in the team of senior leaders who perhaps have played their last match in 2013.

The party had thought that Dhariwal would repeat the performance of 2008 by winning at least 10 out of 17 seats falling in Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi and Baran.

He failed to save even his own seat with BJP making a clean sweep in 16 constituencies.

Another senior leader Bharat Singh Kundanpur too lost the election from Sangod.

The party would hardly bet on these senior leaders in future.

A similar fate, it seems, awaits Hemaram Choudhary and Colonel Sonaram too.

Their loss from Jat-dominated constituencies out rightly rejects the ‘caste equation theory’ which had forced the party to field them instead of other young candidatures.

Choudhary has already announced his intention of not contesting elections in future.

Two successive defeats from Vidyadhar Nagar have also doomed the political career of Vikram Singh Shekhwat.

Similar political uncertainty looms over BD Kalla’s future as well.

Defeated by his brother-in-law Gopal Krishan again, Kalla seems to be now moving slowly towards political exile.

He is searching for a way to ‘continue being a part of the organisation’. But party would hardly give him any chance as the lobby of ‘new generation leaders’ could create troubles if he is elevated.

And his age too is not favouring him.

A strong resentment among people was visible against Brij Kishore Sharma, son of late Naval Kishore Sharma, when the party was considering his name for the Hawa Mahal seat.

The party did not entertain resentment which finally led to the loss of this seat. Brij Kishore could continue to be a part of the organisation, but it his highly improbable that he would be allowed to contest another election.

A similar fate awaits former education minister Master Bhanwarlal too who was given ticket on the basis of caste equation. He too lost the election.