A BATTLEGROUND DOMINATED BY JATS & RAJPUTS

Jaipur: Barmer-Jaisalmer parliamentary seat, historically dominated by Jats and Rajputs, has been a pivotal battleground since 1952. Candidates from these communities have mostly clinched victory, with occasional surprises during the Modi era. Notable victories include former Jagirdar Bhawani Singh and Maharawal Raghunath Singh Bahadur, who won independently in 1952. Rajput leader Tan Singh won in 1962 on the Ram Rajya Parishad ticket. Congress secured the seat in 1967, courtesy of Amrit Nahata, who won again in 1971. Tan Singh reclaimed the seat amidst anti-Congress fervor in 1977 under the Janata Party banner.

In 1980 and 1984, freedom fighter Virdhi Chand Jain secured victories for Congress. Kalyan Singh Kalvi, representing Janata Dal in 1989, won during the rise of VP Singh’s National Front government. However, Ram Niwas Mirdha of Congress took over in 1991. From 1996 to 1999, Jat leader Col Sonaram retained the seat for Congress. BJP’s Manvendra Singh broke Congress’s streak in 2004, succeeding after a previous attempt in 1999. In 2009, Congress reclaimed the seat through Harish Chaudhary.