Jaswant Singh files nomination from Barmer Lok Sabha seat as an independent
Barmer: BJP rebel Jaswant Singh on Monday filed his nomination from Barmer Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate after he was denied a ticket by the BJP, fuelling an ugly infight within the party just ahead of the general elections.
Soon after filing his nomination, Singh said, "I have taken a step for Barmer. Relief is what I am feeling right now."
"I am contesting on principles and for honour, not just for my honour, but for the honour of all citizens of Barmer," he said.
The veteran BJP leader had yesterday made his intentions known, saying he was "not a piece of furniture" to be "adjusted" after polls and warned that the party will have to suffer the consequences of internal strife coming to the fore ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Training his guns on BJP president Rajnath Singh who said the leader's services will be utilised appropriately, Jaswant Singh had retorted, "I am not a piece of furniture. The choice of the adjective 'adjust' itself is indicative of the mentality. You cannot adjust with principles and it is insulting".
Slamming the BJP President's remarks that the party will compensate him after the elections, Singh had said, "I reject the thought and I reject the mentality behind it. Assumption is that they shall form the government and offer me some throttle. They can keep it for themselves".
BJP leader Arun Jaitley had said that Singh should accept the decision with a smile.
"He must accept the decision with a smile. This becomes a test of his loyalty and discipline. Restraint and silence are always a preferred option. Over-reaction may prove be a transient storm in a tea cup. Silence is always dignified and more gracious," Jaitley had said.
Jaswant Singh's earlier three terms in Lok Sabha have been from Jodhpur, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) and Darjeeling (West Bengal).
He has been demanding a party ticket from his home constituency of Barmer, saying this is his last election. He represented the Darjeeling constituency in the outgoing Lok Sabha, from where the party has nominated former Rajya Sabha member S S Ahluwalia.
