Sources said he might contest as an Independent from Barmer, his native place, as his village Jasol falls in the district. His son Manvendra has also fought elections twice from there.

The BJP has decided to replace Singh with recent entrant, Col Sonaram Chodhury, a former Congress MLA. This is despite Jaswant’s repeated pleadings with the central leadership that his track record as an MP from Darjeeling (West Bengal) was good enough for him to be sent back to Jaisalmer. The Darjeeling seat has gone to SS Ahluwalia. It was clear, sources said, that Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had prevailed. “Jaswant’s stature is not the same as LK Advani’s. The party cannot be seen to be bowing to threats,” said a party leader.

Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman played down reports of any dissatisfaction. “Party leaders have their own aspirations,” is all she said. Sonaram belongs to the anti-Gehlot faction in the Rajasthan Congress. Being a Jat, he fits into the caste equation of the region, sources said. “Vasundhara believes a Jat leader has a better chance of winning in a constituency with a large Jat population,” said a party source.

Party insiders said Manvendra could possible be made a minister in the Vasundhara Raje ministry to placate his father. Manvendra represented Barmer in the Lok Sabha in 2004, and is currently a legislator.