Jaisalmer: A political showdown broke out inside the Barmer SDM office Thursday, the last day for withdrawal of nominations, after workers and office-bearers of Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and BJP clashed over the withdrawal of an RLP candidate’s nomination from ward 43.The incident unfolded at the returning officer’s office when RLP candidate Dharmaram Prajapat reached to withdraw his nomination. As BJP workers attempted to take him inside, RLP workers allegedly stopped him and grabbed him, leading to a scuffle and a tug-of-war between supporters of both parties.According to accounts from the spot, RLP worker Jogaram allegedly held the candidate by the neck, after which workers from both sides pushed and pulled each other for nearly five minutes. Police personnel present intervened to separate the groups.Following the scuffle, BJP workers escorted Dharmaram into the RO office, where he completed the process and formally withdrew his nomination.The RLP alleged Dharmaram was abducted and pressured into withdrawing, while BJP claimed he acted voluntarily. RLP worker Jalaram Paliwal alleged BJP members approached Dharmaram with monetary offers to withdraw and accused BJP supporters of forcibly bringing him to the RO office and assaulting RLP workers.Former BJP district president Swaroop Singh Khara rejected the allegations, saying Dharmaram came on his own to withdraw and alleging instead that RLP workers were trying to forcibly take the candidate away.Dharmaram said he withdrew after discussions with his family, citing lack of family support for his campaign and stating that BJP had given a ticket to a member of his family. “I have decided to support BJP. I do not want to file any case against anyone,” he said.
