BENIWAL'S RLP COULD HURT BJP, CONGRESS IN RAJASTHAN

Beniwal may have impact in the Jat dominated districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Churu, Ajmer and Udaipur.

- RAHUL GAHLAWAT

Hanuman Beniwal, once a big name in the BJP, is now posing a serious challenge to both the BJP and Congress in Rajasthan in at least 20 seats. Rajasthan has 200 Assembly seats. The idea of Beniwal providing a third alternative to the voters of Rajasthan may hurt the prospects of both the Congress and BJP in various seats in the Jat dominated districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Churu, Ajmer and Udaipur. Beniwal started his political career as president of the students' union of Rajasthan University in 1997-78 and later became a Member of the Rajasthan Assembly in 2008 on a BJP ticket from Khinvsar constituency in Nagaur district. Beniwal was suspended from the BJP in 2013 after he made accusations against his party members of having connections with leaders of the rival Congress.