As the Gurjjar protest formally ended with a declaration by Kirori Singh Bainsla here on Thursday, the anti-Raje sentiment among the Gurjjars seemed to be dying down. And, sources said, Bainsla might go with the BJP in the next Assembly elections.
Addressing the protestors, Attar Singh, a close aide of Bainsla, said, “The Government has cooperated with us and you will have to vote judiciously in the coming elections.”
While Bainsla did not spell out which party he would support, sources close to him said he might side with the BJP. A leader, who was part of the delegation which talked to the Government, said, “There is a possibility of the Gurjjars supporting the BJP this time.”
However, support to the BSP appeared to be fizzling out, as Mayawati never made any promise to the Gurjjars.
Sources said the Gurjjars had been promised a status like the “Most Backward Class” category in Tamil Nadu. The MBCs in Tamil Nadu get reservation at par with the STs and if implemented in Rajasthan, the Gurjjars will also get reservation at par with the Meenas.
The Centre’s approval, sources said, might invite ire of the Meenas, as some of their leaders have expressed “concern” over the Gurjjar deal.
Earlier in the day, Bainsla read out the CM’s letter to the protestors and requested them to vacate the railway tracks. He thanked Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for letting the Gurjjars protest.
The railway authorities started the repair work soon after the Gurjjars vacated the tracks. “Traffic is expected to be normal by late in the night,” said R B Pathak, Section Engineer at the Bayana railway station.
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