Our Correspondent / Churu / Rajasthan
Following consecutive losses in the two previous Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Party in this election is looking in reversal of fortunes due to an unforeseen twist. Incumbent candidate Rahul Kaswan, 47, formerly of the BJP, now representing the Congress, goes head-to-head with BJP’s Devedra Jhajharia, a Padma Shri awardee and Paralympic gold medalist in javelin throw.
The showdown between these two young leaders has added a new dimension to this Jat-dominated region. A two-time sitting Member of Parliament from this constituency, whose father Ram Singh Kaswan earlier represented this constituency from 1999 till 2014 and his family has held power here for over two decades, is now facing the toughest battle of his life.
The Churu constituency in Rajasthan is popularly known as the Shekhawati belt, with a high concentration of Jat population in this region. In the recent assembly elections, the Congress Party performed exceptionally well, winning five out of the eight assembly seats.
Interestingly, the Congress Party last won the seat in 1998. Since then, it has become a stronghold of the BJP. However, with certain turns of events in this election, the party is sensing good fortune for itself.