Congress Candidate Anil Chopra: The Popular Youth Icon Vying From Jaipur Rural (Photo on X 𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗥𝗔 @AnilChopra_)
Anil Chopra, the youth leader from the Congress is the party”s candidate from the Rajasthan’s Jaipur Rural Lok Saba constituency. Though he has no political lineage in the family, he has been in politics since his studenthood. He worked with National Student”s Union of India (NSUI), the student organisation of Congress Party. In 2004, he became the president of NSUI, which allowed him to familiarise himself with senior leaders in the state.
Reportedly, Anil Chopra has been eying a Lok Sabha ticket from Jaipur Rural constituency and did not want an assembly ticket. With this in mind, he has over the past years built connections and political clout in the strategic constituency.
Rajasthan’s Congress heavyweight Sachin Pilot is believed to be the major player to provide Anil Chopra with the party’s ticket. The young leader has been vocal about his admiration for the former Deputy chief minister of Rajasthan and considered him an an ideal politician. seeing his popularity among the youth and victory in the student elections, Sachin Pilot saw Anil Chopra”s calibre in politics and helped him advance in the party.
With Congress fielding the youth leader, it is his turn to show his mettle and use his chance to secure his political future. Anil Chopra”s political activism and social services gave him an edge over other leaders who eyed for the nomination from the constituency.
Jats and Gurjars constitute a large section of the electorate in Jaipur Rural while Yadavs, Brahmins and Rajputs too have sizable populations in the constituency. Jaipur Rural has been consecutively represented by the BJP for the past two terms – 2014 and 15. In 2019, BJP”s Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore retained the seat, securing more than 64 percent of the vote. Congress”s Krishna Poonia trailed behind, gaining 33 percent votes from the constituency.
BJP has nominated Rao Rajendra Singh from the constituency this time. However, by fielding Anil Chopra, the grand old party is looking to recapture the seat the party lost during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
