Both three-time MLAs and five-time MPs. Both have tasted victory and defeat in equal measure. Both contending for the same crown—that of chief minister of Rajasthan. The battle lines are clearly drawn between Congress Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (62) and BJP’s Vasundhara Raje (60).
While Gehlot has served twice as CM, Raje is looking for a second stint. And pollsters and opinion surveys are giving her hope enough. The BJP too is convinced that Raje is on a comeback trail, drawing huge crowds as she has been during her six-month-long yatra, across the state.There is also the fact that no government in Rajasthan has returned to power for a second successive term since the 1990s. And the
Opposition is banking on no less than its star campaigner Narendra Modi to add that extra zing to create a “wave” in its favour.
Gehlot has reasons to worry. His tenure has been marked by several controversies, primarily the involvement of three of his ministers in scandals ranging from murder to rape. Instances of communal violence at Gopalpura in Ajmer and Udaipur further dented his image. But the CM is hard-selling the development projects and welfare schemes taken up in his tenure, including free medicines to the poor, metro rail,
increased old-age pension and power projects. His last minute bid to fight anti-incumbency saw him on a foundation stone-laying spree that included the Rs 38,000 crore Barmer refinery project.
With Gehlot facing anti-incumbency, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has put Plan-B into action. He set up a mammoth 66-member election campaign committee for the state headed by former state party president C P Joshi. The Brahmin leader is not only expected to bring upper castes into the party fold, but could be CM candidate in case the party goes on to win the election. Joshi though is not in the fray.
The desert state has some other key castes that will play decisive roles in the final outcome. The Meenas, Jats and Gujjars have prominent
representation in both parties. In the midst of this curious mix, the emergence of Dausa MP and former BJP minister Kirodi Lal Meena has skewed equations a bit. Many BJP MLAs and leaders have deserted the saffron bandwagon and joined Meena’s National People’s Party after being denied tickets. Disgruntled Congress leaders too are making a beeline for the tribal leader’s outfit.
Key Issues The BJP has made lack of governance and corruption in the Gehlot government the two key issues. In a political chargesheet it has prepared against the Congress, BJP listed 60 scams that took place in last five years. The resignation of three ministers on charges of murder and rape, has come as additional ammunition. Riots in Gopalpura, which left 11 dead, continues to be a dark spot. The Congress is pinning its hopes on schemes it launched—free medicines, enhanced pension, power and water projects, and increase in minimum number of days of employment. |
Relative Values Congress leads on this front. Forced to drop three tainted ministers, it had to accommodate their family members. So tickets were given to Leela Maderna, wife of Mahipal Maderna, Hazarilal Nagar, brother of Babulal Nagar and Amri Devi, mother of Malkhan Singh. They have been fielded to keep the vote-bank of these leaders intact. | |
Rebels The BJP has been hit the most by desertions. A number of MLAs and leaders left the party after being denied tickets. Seven sitting MLAs have joined Kirodi Lal Meena’s new National People’s Party. Kirodi Mal himself was a minister in the Raje Cabinet, and left BJP after he fell out with her. Meenas are naturally expected to align with NPP which has readily given tickets to all rebels. Sukhram Koli, Anil Jain, Babulal Bhairwa, Narendra Kanwar, Snehlata Arya, quit BJP and joined NPP. | The War Rooms The Congress war room is run from its headquarters on Sansar Chand Road, Jaipur, where CM Gehlot along with state party president Dr Chandrabhan runs the show. The BJP’s strategy room is run from the party office at Sardar Patel Bhawan. Raje and Gulab Chand Kataria run the show. |
Maverick Kirodi Lal Meena: A minister in the Raje Cabinet from 2003-08, Meena contested the last election as an Independent and won. He has attracted a number of BJP rebels to his fledgling party. |
Maverick Col Kirori Singh Bainsla shot to fame in 2008 when he campaigned for Gujjar reservation. He fought on a BJP ticket but lost Lok Sabha elections. He met Congress leaders recently. |
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