Husband Vs Wife: Rajasthan's Dantaramgarh Witnessing Unique Faceoff

In the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly election, Dantaramgarh constituency in Sikar is witnessing a unique battle. Virendra Singh, a popular Congress leader, has been pitted against his wife, Rita Singh, from the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Virendra Singh, the son of former PCC chief and seven-time MLA Narayan Singh, is the sitting MLA from Dantaramgarh. According to the New Indian Express, the couple remains legally married despite living separately since 2018.

Rita Singh hoped for a Congress ticket to contest from the Dantaramgarh constituency during the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections. However, Congress selected her husband, Virendra Singh. In August 2023, Rita Singh joined the Jananayak Janata Party (JJP). Notably, JJP is a coalition partner in the BJP-led government in Haryana. The party also made Rita Singh, a former Zila Pramukh, the Rajasthan president of its women’s wing. “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,” PTI quoted Rita Singh as saying in October. While Rita Singh mainly focused on issues of development, water problems, and unemployment, Virendra Singh pointed out the welfare projects in Dantaramgarh, like three community health centres and new schools.

In the 2018 Rajasthan election, Virendra Singh secured victory in the Dantaramgarh constituency by defeating the BJP”s Harish Chand Kumawat with a narrow margin of 920 votes. Notably, in 2008, Amra Ram of the CPM was the winning candidate from this constituency. The CPM candidate secured 45909 votes, while 40990 votes were polled in favour of the Congress candidate.

Meanwhile, JJP”s move was also surprising, as their candidates are contesting in 25 constituencies in Rajasthan. JJP is helmed by Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Singh Chautala. JJP”s decision to contest in the Rajasthan Assembly polls was a shocker to the BJP. JJP president Ajay Singh Chautala earlier said that the party is hoping to contest specifically those seats where the BJP has traditionally been weak. However, JJP”s move is expected to have an impact on the Rajasthan election results.