Rajasthan’s Hadoti region is a BJP stronghold

‘The strong presence of the RSS has always yielded good results for the BJP in the past and will continue this time too’.

The Hadoti region in Rajasthan—consisting of the four districts of Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar—has served as a fortress for the BJP. It houses some powerful BJP leaders, like ex-CM Vasundhara Raje, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and many others. The region has 17 Assembly seats, out of which the BJP won 10, while Congress managed 7 seats. In the 2013 Assembly elections, the BJP won 16 out of 17 seats; Congress could only win the Hindoli seat, while in the 2008 Assembly elections, the BJP won 7, while Congress won 10 seats.
The Hadoti region has historically played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle, and many freedom fighters later joined Congress and contested elections. However, with time, it became a stronghold of the RSS, which has dominated this area politically. The region is known for providing power to households in Rajasthan, which has the highest number of power stations.
Hadoti gave Rajasthan its first non-congress CM, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who won from the Chhabra seat of Baran district in 1977. The second BJP chief minister, Vasundhara Raje, also comes from this region, representing Jhalrapatan in Jhalawar district.
Prof S.N. Ambedkar, a political expert, said: “The strong presence of the RSS has always yielded good results for the BJP in the past and will continue this time too. Although Congress brought some developmental projects to this area, it would not be able to sweep the way the BJP does in this area.”
The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government has developed the heritage Chambal Riverfront project for Rs 1,200 crore to boost tourism in the area. This development project is also seen by Congress as having some electoral benefit in the area.
A resident of Kota said the area has a lot of tourist spots, especially during the monsoon, but governments have paid no attention to developing it as a tourist destination, but this project will boost the tourism sector in the region. He also added that since the area has a lot of farmers cultivating mainly soybeans and coriander, no special benefits were given to those farmers.
The Hadoti region has a significant population of Sahariya tribes dominant in Baran district, while a good number of Gujjar, Meena, Dhakar, Mali, Rajputs, OBC, SC, and ST will decide whether they will stick to the BJP or go vote for Congress on result day.