Congress can give BJP a tough fight if it showcases Gehlot’s schemes properly during the upcoming Assembly polls.
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s welfare schemes may turn out to be a game-changer for the Congress in the other poll-bound states. State Congress units have already started publicising these schemes. The Congress can give BJP a tough fight if it showcases Gehlot’s schemes properly during the upcoming Assembly elections. These schemes include Old Pension Scheme, Right to Health, free power up to 100 to 200 units, gas cylinders for BPL families for Rs 500, financial aid to women and old age persons, free power up to 2000 units to farmers, etc.
If the Congress scores victories in upcoming state polls, then other opposition parties would agree to support it on its terms only, be it Bihar CM Nitish Kumar or Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Both CMs are on the mission to unite opposition. The two CMs have been against Congress as well. Kejriwal’s AAP ensured Congress’ massive rout in Delhi, Punjab and Gujarat. Kejriwal’s agitation played a key role in giving Congress a tag of the “most corrupt” party. Now, Kejriwal is seeking support from Congress.
However, the Congress is divided over supporting AAP over the ordinance issue. With the numbers game favouring the government, the Opposition seems to be on a weak wicket in Rajya Sabha over the ordinance issue. Observers are of the view that the Congress is on fast recovery mode and it should, therefore, focus on issues of common man, shunning alliance politics. OPS, RTH and social security are the issues that stand Congress in good stead. These schemes of Rajasthan model are popular in all states. Farmers and the middle class are getting relief in power bills. Congress is hopeful of return to power in Madhya Pradesh with the help of these schemes. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deepender Singh Hooda are already reaching out to voters with these schemes in Haryana. Congress is set to promise these schemes in Telangana too. These schemes boosted the morale of Congress units in Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Analysts say that these welfare schemes can overshadow the issues having Hindutva appeal, only if Congress’ motor-mouth leaders avoid making statements that BJP is always eager to use for “polarisation”. The issues like Bajrang Bali have potential to polarise voters in North Indian states.
Gehlot is, therefore, focussing on his works and welfare schemes. He is explaining how the schemes are helpful for the common man to deal with problems resulting from price rise. Every beneficiary is saving around Rs 5000 every month due to these schemes. If Congress organises ‘Mehangai Rahat’ campaign nationwide on the line of what Gehlot has done in Rajasthan, then it will be able to take wind out of the BJP’s Hindutva sail.
Gehlot’s schemes are going down well with the common man. The party is hopeful of a repeat of its government in Rajasthan. If it returns to power, it will be for the first time that any Congress government will be repeated in a big state like Rajasthan solely on the ground of performance.
The Central leadership needs to give strength to Gehlot. The party must take action against Sachin Pilot who is allegedly working against his own party’s government. Sachin seems to be following the politics that only the opposition does. He seems to have gone to the point of no return. With this in view, the central leadership needs to take any step carefully, keeping in view the electoral prospects of the Congress in Rajasthan.