The Bharatiya Janata Party Friday declared Morpal Suman as its candidate for the bypoll in Anta Assembly seat in Rajasthan’s Baran district.
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Suman is currently the Pradhan from Baran Panchayat Samiti, and wields influence locally. BJP state president Madan Rathore said that Suman is a grassroots worker known for working for the people and through him, the party aims to give the people of Anta a strong leadership.
“He is a dedicated and hardworking party leader who has been aligned with the party’s ideology since the beginning and has successfully fulfilled various responsibilities. He comes from a humble family and, driven by the spirit of public service, has been continuously working within the community,” Rathore said, adding that Suman has been chosen for his “impeccable image, service-mindedness and organisational abilities.”
Suman has held various posts in the party and comes from the Mali community, which wields considerable influence in the region. Moreover, he is said to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and is known for keeping a low profile. Interestingly, he had recently lodged an FIR after allegedly being swindled of Rs 38,000 in lieu of getting the party ticket.
With Suman’s candidature, the Anta bypoll is set to become triangular with former Congress cabinet minister Pramod Jain Bhaya and Congress rebel Naresh Meena also in the fray.
The by-election was necessitated after the disqualification of sitting BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena this May under the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951, after he was found guilty under IPC Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 506 (criminal intimidation), and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act in a 20-year-old case.
Demanding a re-poll in a sarpanch election in Manohar Thana, Jhalawar, Meena had threatened then RAS officer Ram Niwas Mehta with a revolver.
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Following his conviction, he did not get relief from the High Court while the Supreme Court too had dismissed his petition this year. A delay in termination of his membership had led to a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the Congress party. Meena, a two term MLA, has had at least 27 cases filed against him, including attempt to murder, rioting, dacoity, extortion, and outraging modesty. Meena’s lawyers, however, had told The Indian Express that he has been acquitted in most of these cases.
The last date of filing nominations for the bypoll is October 21, while polling will be held on November 11 and results will be declared on November 14.
