JAIPUR: In six weeks, voters cast their ballots in Rajasthan where traditionally the Congress and the BJP have come to power alternately. While that’s unlikely to change, the possibility of formation of a Third Front this time has created a buzz. While such a Front comprising smaller parties, if it comes into being, is not expected to be a contender for power, it could well dent vote banks of both BJP and Congress. A few small parties under the leadership of influential local politicians are contesting this time and could play spoilsport for the ruling BJP or the Congress on several seats.
Khivsar MLA Hanuman Beniwal, who had earlier quit the BJP owing to differences with CM Vasundhara Raje, is set to announce his own party on October 29 in Jaipur while Ghanshyam Tiwari, a Brahmin leader, has already formed the Bharat Vahini Party (BVP). He, too, is a BJP rebel.
Beniwal has been campaigning actively in villages and has held big rallies in Jat-dominated areas. He claimed his party is in alliance with Tiwari’s BVP and has urged parties like CPI, BSP and SP to form a ‘Third Front’. Left leaders have also expressed willingness to align with the BVP. “We are open for the alliance to provide people with better options,” says CPI(M) leader Amra Ram.
Beniwal is relying on the votes of Jats, a politically important community in Nagour, Barmer and Bikaner districts. The BVP appears to have some influence in Jaipur and nearby areas but it will contest in all 200 seats. Many upper caste MLAs denied ticket by the BJP may join hands with Tiwari, who is expecting that the state will have a hung Assembly this time and hence the ‘third front’ could have a significant role to play in such a situation. Both Beniwal and Tiwari, who are in talks to finalise a seat-sharing pact, are expected to damage the Congress more than the BJP as they will split the anti-incumbency votes.
Not an impressive show so far
BSP: It has a presence in 8 districts. The party had won 6 seats in 2008.
CPI(M): In 2008, it won 3 seats. It plans to contest from 29 seats.
SP: Wields influence in eastern districts. In 2008, it won one seat.
AAP: Plans to field candidates in all 200 seats.