Ahead of Rajasthan Assembly elections which are slated for December this year, both the prominent parties of the state- BJP and Congress- are leaving no stone unturned to boost their poll prospects. After the saffron party managed to woo Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena, a prominent tribal leader of eastern Rajasthan by making his Ghar Vapasi in BJP possible recently, the Opposition Congress too has managed to seek favour of a young Dalit face from Shri Ganganagar, a strong belt of farmers.
National Unionist Zamindara Party (NZUJP) MLA Sona Devi from Raisinghnagar joined the Congress on Friday in the presence of PCC chief Sachin Pilot.
“With her joining, the party will be strengthened in Sriganganagar and also in Dalit section. She has joined the party unconditionally,” Pilot said during the press conference here. He said that BJP is a sinking ship and time will decide who joins the Congress next.
Sona Devi told the scribes that her move to join Congress is a mark of protest against BJP’s anti-Dalit policies and breach of the promises it made to her.
“With her switching over the party the questions of enforcement of anti-defection law have been raised. The legal experts believe that she could loose membership of Rajasthan assembly. “As per anti-defection law not less than two third members of the party are needed to join new party. The NJUP has only two MLAs, hence she as individual joining the Congress makes only 50 per cent of the strength. I think she will be disqualified from membership in the light of the law. However, final call rests with the assembly speaker,” said advocate AK Jain who practices in Rajasthan high court.
I am still my party’s MLA
While talking to DNA, MLA Sona Devi sounded confused. She said that she continues to be MLA from NZUP and has joined the Congress as a worker . “I am sitting MLA and just joined the Congress as its family member. I have made no written communication regarding this to the Assembly speaker,” said the first time MLA from Raisriganganagar, a seat reserved for scheduled caste. She also said that she has not quit NZUP.
