For the Congress, there are challenges, as there is huge resentment against ministers and MLAs.
JAIPUR
Both the Congress and the BJP have expedited the process to finalise candidates for ticket distribution for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan. The two parties are closely examining every single name, given the importance of the polls.
This is the first election in the history of Rajasthan in which there is no anti-incumbency factor against the ruling party. But even after this there are big challenges. The reason for this is the huge resentment against ministers and MLAs. Another reason is lack of coordination in the party. BJP is seeking to capitalise on this weakness of the Congress.
However, all is not well inside BJP too. The state unit leaders have been completely side-lined. The in-charge appointed by the central leadership in Delhi, Arun Singh and Organization General Secretary Chandrashekhar are the most powerful leaders.
This is happening for the first time in the history of BJP that the central brass itself has taken charge of electoral matters in the state. This is also the situation in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. On the contrary, the local leadership of Congress is on the front in all the poll-bound states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is leading the election campaign in all the states on behalf of the BJP. He has announced that the lotus is the face of the party. In a way, the Rajasthan elections will be Prime Minister Modi versus Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Similarly, in every state, Prime Minister Modi will be seen challenging the local leadership. In a way, PM Modi’s prestige is at stake in poll-bound states.
Congress is fully hopeful of repeating the government in Rajasthan banking on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s schemes. Congress is pinning its hopes on the government employees who are happy with OPS, promotion, increase in salary, etc. They would not want to lose all such benefits. Gehlot’s decision to create 22 new districts in Rajasthan will also help Congress woo the voters. On the other hand, Prime Minister Modi has set his eyes on women and youth. The BJP is reaching out to women showcasing the benefits of the women’s reservation act. At the same time, BJP is wooing youths who are angry with the government over paper leak cases.
Moreover, corruption is also an issue. BJP claims votes of women and youth are going to it in Assembly elections. The real focus is now on ticket distribution. The central leadership of BJP is wooing every faction. The leadership seems to have placated former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Her supporters are hopeful of getting tickets. The BJP is preparing to field a large number of women so that they can avail the benefits of reservation. Also, a large number of tickets may be given to officers, youth and sitting MPs. These include the three Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Choudhary and the name of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is also being discussed. This means that BJP will lay more emphasis on leaders having strong and spotless image. On the other hand, ticket distribution is not easy for Congress. Dropping sitting MLAs is a big challenge for Congress. The party is unable to drop the MLAs who saved the government. However, most of these MLAs and ministers are accused of corruption. Many of those who adopted a rebellious attitude, are considered weak candidates. If CM Gehlot and the high command gave a chance to new faces, the Congress can repeat its government in Rajasthan.