While the BJP has consciously avoided giving a ticket to any Muslim candidate in the two lists of 162 candidates it has declared so far, it has curiously struck down the names of its sitting legislators who allegedly issued statements that provoked right wing Hinduism and even supported the accused responsible for lynching persons on the pretext of Smuggling cows.

The party has dropped at least three sitting MLAs, including a minister who was toeing the hard core Hindutva line. This comes at a time when the suspense over the name of Yunus Khan from Deedwana who is called the “Number 1 minister” in Raje government is still not over. Fellow colleague Habib Ur Rehman from Nagaur has already joined the Congress after being denied a ticket.

On Sunday, the name of sitting MLA from Alwar city, Banwari Lal Singhal, who had made statements against Meo muslims was missing from the list. On Wednesday the name of Gyandev Ahuja was dropped. Ahuja  is the sitting MLA from Ramgarh which became notorious across the country for alleged lynching of rakbar Khan. He was able to  win the same seat when BJP lost power in 2008 elections.

Ahuja is seen as a sympathiser of “Gau Rakshaks” and had demanded the release of accused held responsible for lynching of Rakbar Khan in July this year.

Like him, Dhan Singh Rawat who is currently sitting MLA from Banswara and is minister of state for panchayati raj, has been dropped. While speaking at a public meeting Rawat had reportedly exhorted people saying that if Muslims can vote for congress, Hindus can also unite and go with BJP. Later an FIR was filed against him.

Banwari Lal Singhal also representing Alwar, has on many occasions through his statements insinuated that he was not the one to pander to those who killed cows.