Independent candidate Santosh Bagrodia decided to remain in contest on the last date of withdrawal of names for four Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan and his presence put a tough challenge for Opposition BJP. In the contest for four Rajya Sabha seats, there are now five candidates, including Union minister Anand Sharma and

Independent candidate for Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan Santosh Bagrodia forced the BJP to reorganise its efforts to secure victory of its two candidates, including eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani. According to sources, a section of the BJP has been trying to ensure first priority 41 votes to Mr Jethmalani but it has caused resentment in the party.

A body of Khadims have been awarded the contract to cook food for devotees during the annual urs in two big cauldrons gifted by the Mughal emperors at the Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer. This year the highest bidder offered Rs 55 crores. It is the highest bid offered for the 25 days of urs.

The cultivation of opium has divided the state of Rajasthan. The political and social workers in this desert region have been demanding a ban on the cultivation while politicians in the opium-growing belt oppose any such demand. The state had produced 337 metric tonne of opium this year while last year it yielded 211 metric tonne of opium.

The Gujjar faction led by former MLA Ramveer Singh Bidhuri has back tracked from its earlier call to organise a state-wide strike on June 13 to press for their demand of five per cent reservation for the community. The breakaway group has now given a call to protest at district level on June 16.

A breakaway section of the Gujjars, backed by BJP leaders formulated a strategy to revive the Gujjar agitation on the issue of quota. The group, led by former NCP MLA Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, had two meetings with the saffron leaders, and gave a call to organise a state-wide strike on June 13 if the state government failed to provide five per cent reservation to the community. However, Col. K.S. Bainsla distanced himself from this move.

Several leaders of the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP from Rajasthan and outside the state have been lobbying hard to manage a Rajya Sabha berth but there is resentment against outside candidates in both the parties. The elections for five Rajya Sabha seats is slated for June 17.

Two Pakistani Hindu grooms were allowed to visit the border district of Sriganganagar in Rajasthan for their wedding function only after the high court heard their plea. They were cornered when the local authorities in Jodhpur refused to grant them permission while their brides were waiting to tie the nuptial knots. The sources said that

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot made a humble suggestion while wishing to see Rahul Gandhi as in-charge of Congress Seva Dal. He was speaking at a function organised by state Congress to remember late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on Friday in Jaipur.

The Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU) in Kota is all set to launch a six-month certificate course on MGNREGA that is touted to be the world’s biggest employment providing scheme.