A man broke down in tears while appealing to the BJP to reconsider its decision to deny his mother a ticket for the upcoming Rajasthan panchayat elections. A video of Vijay Meena, son of former village head Manju Meena, has gone viral on social media amid discontent over ticket distribution in Jaipur.
The BJP denied Manju Meena a ticket from Ward No 47 of the Jaipur Zilla Parishad. Vijay, a former Zilla Parishad chairman, alleged that his mother's candidature was rejected because he had raised public issues and protested against the authorities. The Rajasthan panchayat polls will be held in four phases between October 23 and November 16.
In the video, a weeping Vijay claimed he had approached a local MLA and completed the application process after being told her mother would get a ticket. However, he alleged that the party later accused him of protesting against it. He said "he was begging", while appealing to the BJP for justice.
Vijay said he had raised issues affecting residents, including the need for a trauma centre and highway lighting. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by poor families who have to travel long distances for emergency medical care.
He questioned whether fighting for people's concerns was wrong. “I am begging now. If I have fought for people, I swear on my mother, give me justice,” he said as he continued weeping.
Claiming that his activism had cost his mother the ticket, Vijay said, “I will continue to fight for the people. You can remove me from the party or the organisation, but can you stop me from fighting for them?”
“People have to run to NIMS and SMS hospitals (in Jaipur) from villages for deliveries and even snakebite cases. If my daughters fall ill, I can take them to AIIMS Delhi or Mumbai for treatment. But what about poor families who cannot afford that?” he added.
Vijay also expressed anguish that his mother's candidature had been affected by his work for the public, saying he would rather forgo a ticket than stop raising people's concerns.
The viral video has surfaced as the BJP's ticket distribution for the Rajasthan Panchayat elections triggers resentment among aspirants and their supporters.
Elections to Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis are scheduled for October 23, 29, November 4 and 14, while polling for Panch and Sarpanch posts will take place on October 25, 31, November 6 and 16.
The polls cover 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 Gram Panchayats across Rajasthan. Counting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti seats will be held on November 20.
- Ends