BJP's Udaipur Candidate Mannalal Rawat: A New Face In Electoral Politics (Photo on Facebook Mannalal Rawat)
Mannalal Rawat, the BJP’s candidate from Rajasthan”s Udaipur is an active member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has played a significant role in organising Chintan camps in tribal areas. With the saffron party picking Mr Rawat, it has trusted a low-profile fresh face for one of the important constituencies. Born in Pratapgarh, Mr Rawat completed his PhD in tribal issues from Mohanlal Sukhadia University. A member of the influential political tribe ‘Katara,’ Mr Rawat has authored several books and presented many research papers including on Sanatana Dharma. He is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner (RTO Officer) of Rajasthan Transport Department in Jaipur.
The Udaipur Lok Sabha constituency comprises eight assembly segments that include Gogunda, Jhadol, Kherwara, Udaipur Rural, Udaipur, Salumber, Dhariawad and Aspur. All except one has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). The seat has been witnessing the BJP”s stronger influence since the party wrested power from the Indian National Congress during the 2014 general election. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the party swept the seat with more than four lakh margin. For the constituency with a stronger tribal presence, the candidature of Mr Rawat is believed to be an advantage for the BJP.
Mr Rawat has worked extensively with tribal regions. He has been credited with leading the propagation of Sanatana Dharma and the anti-conversion drive against Christian missionaries in the tribal regions. According to reports, Mr Rawat’s candidature was following the recommendation of the RSS. The party is speculated to be a little worried about Mr Rawat’s low image in the public as the candidature marks his foray into electoral politics. As a government employee, he had remained unanimous in his organisational activities.
Reports suggest that the party heavyweights including Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and state party heads will join the rallies in the constituency to bolter Mr Rawat’s candidature.
After he was nominated for the Udaipur by the BJP, he addressed the party meeting and said that he would be indebted throughout his life for the ticket that the party gave him. However, by choosing Mr Rawat, the BJP has dropped the incumbent two-term consecutive MP Arjunlal Meena who wrested the seat from Congress in 2014 and retained it in 2019 with a remarkable margin.
