Rajasthan Assembly elections: Husband vs wife likely in Danta Ramgarh constituency

November 25 Assembly elections in Rajasthan's Danta Ramgarh constituency promise a fascinating political showdown. The Haryana-based Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) has officially announced Rita Chaudhary as its candidate, while the Congress is expected to renominate the incumbent MLA, Virendra Singh, who happens to be Rita Chaudhary's husband.

In the Ramgarh constituency of Alwar, the Congress, which is currently in power, has made an unexpected decision. They have denied tickets to a sitting legislator Shafia Zubair. The party has given a ticket to her husband and former legislator Zubair Khan. The results of Rajasthan Assembly elections will be out on December 3. 

Virendra Singh, the son of former PCC chief and a seven-time MLA Narayan Singh, has had a long-standing association with the Congress party. In contrast, his wife made a significant move in August when she joined the JJP and was later appointed as the state president of the party's women's wing.

During the lead-up to the 2018 Assembly elections, Chaudhary had expressed her interest in contesting from the Danta Ramgarh constituency under the Congress banner. However, the party chose her husband as their candidate. Since then, she has tirelessly worked to boost her political standing in the constituency, taking many by surprise when she ultimately aligned herself with the JJP. This shift was confirmed on Monday when the JJP unveiled a list of six candidates, with Chaudhary among them.

"I listened to my heart, I did whatever I felt was right and joined the JJP. I have been among the people, and stood by them when they needed me and therefore the people have accepted me and my decision. People are happy because they want to see changes. Now the party has chosen me as the candidate from the Danta Ramgarh seat and I am confident of my victory,” she was quoted as saying by PTI.

When asked about her likely political contest with her husband, Chaudhary said, "Congress is yet to declare its candidate (from the constituency) so I cannot comment on this, but people want change." 

Virendra Singh, however, said the poll battle would be a "direct fight" between them. "The JJP has fielded her and I am also hopeful of getting a renomination. In such a situation, it will certainly be a direct fight between husband and wife," he said.

Danta Ramgarh seat is dominated by Jat voters and falls in the farmers' belt in the Shekhawati region. 

Congress choosing husband ‘good decision’: Ramgarh MLA

Even though her aspirations for re-nomination were not fulfilled, Shafia Zubair, the incumbent MLA of Ramgarh in Alwar, supported Congress's decision to field her husband as the candidate. Zubair Khan has previously been MLA in 1990, 1993, and 2003.

"The party's selection of candidates is good. We will fight and win this seat with a good margin," Shafia said, abstaining from making comments on her being denied a ticket.

However, one of her supporters requesting anonymity said, “Being the sitting MLA and having worked for the people of the constituency, she was hopeful that the party would consider giving her a ticket again but this has not happened. But she is willingly working to ensure her husband wins.”

(With PTI inputs)