Jailed VIP kin fielded

Jaipur, Nov. 10: The Congress has given poll tickets to relatives of two former Rajasthan ministers and an MLA who are in jail as undertrials in rape or murder cases.

The party has fielded another former minister, who had to resign two years ago following allegations of involvement with a woman who had died under mysterious circumstances.

Leela Maderna, wife of former minister Mahipal Maderna, is the candidate from family seat Osian. Mahipal is in jail as an accused in the alleged rape-cum-murder of a Dalit nurse in 2011.

Mahipal, who has also been accused of having had an affair with the victim, is the son of Paras Ram Maderna. The family wields considerable influence in the Jat-dominated region.

The Congress is fielding Amri Devi, 71, mother of MLA Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, who too is in jail in the same case, from Luni constituency. Bishnoi too is accused of having had an affair with the nurse and of being an accomplice in her kidnapping and murder.

Amri Devi’s daughter Indira Bishnoi is in hiding after being accused in the case.

Hazari Lal Nagar, brother of former minister Babu Lal Nagar, will be contesting from family borough Dudu.

Babu Lal is in jail, accused of raping a woman in his bungalow. The woman has accused Hazari Lal of offering her money to withdraw the case. Babu Lal is said to be close to chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

None of these politicians have been convicted. Ram Lal Jat, another former minister, had to resign in 2011 after the mysterious death of a woman but has not been formally accused or arrested. He has been fielded from Asind.

Jat is said to be close to C.P. Joshi, Union minister and Bhilwara MP, and had managed his poll campaign during the last general election.