The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday appointed its South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri as the district in-charge of party affairs for Tonk district in poll-bound Rajasthan. The decision comes just days after the Lok Sabha MP was caught in a row over his use of communal slurs against BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament.

Bidhuri was also issued a show-cause notice by BJP president JP Nadda over his remarks that caused huge embarrassment for the BJP during the special session of Parliament between September 18 and 22.

Also Read: Ramesh Bidhuri meets BJP chief JP Nadda amid row over Parliament remark against Danish Ali

Bidhuri’s appointment is being seen as a counter to Congress’ Sachin Pilot, also a Gujjar, who is the incumbent MLA from the district and may be fielded again from the seat. Tonk district, which comprises four Assembly seats, has a sizable Muslim population and the BJP may be hoping that Bidhuri’s appointment could swing things its way in the high-profile constituency.

Bidhuri was seen in action right after his appointment as he discussed organisational activities and the schedule of Seva Saptah programmes during a meeting a meeting of the party’s coordination committee chaired by state party president CP Joshi.

Also Read: Who is Ramesh Bidhuri? Meet BJP’s South Delhi MP at centre of row over anti-Muslim rant in Parliament

The development was met with sharp criticism from the Opposition which dubbed Bidhuri’s appointment as a reward. “Knew it! Ramesh Bidhuri rewarded for calling Muslim MP “B***a” & “K***a” in Lok Sabha. How does showcaused person be given new role by BJP? Narendra Modi ji – is this your Sneha Yatra for minorities, your love outreach?” tweeted Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

The BJP had performed poorly in Gujjar-dominated areas in the 2019 elections with the community lending its weight behind the Congress owing to the Pilot factor. However, clear signs that Pilot was unlikely to be appointed as the chief minister of the state anytime soon, may have changed the sentiment.

The BJP is hoping to capitalise on this sentiment to try and woo Gujjars back into its fold by tasking Bidhuri with the new role in the constituency. Assembly elections in Rajasthan are due in November-December this year. The Election Commission of India is likely to announce the schedule for the Rajasthan Assembly elections in the first week of October.