New Delhi
If the central government implements “One Nation-One Election”, it will impact Rajasthan politics the most. The move might upset the politics of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje.
Gehlot will need to reformulate the strategy. He has brought the party almost to the brink of victory with welfare schemes. But Congress’ challenge may grow if elections are held together with parliamentary polls. It will be known only after the special session of Parliament whether the Rajasthan polls will be held as per schedule or will be postponed to be clubbed with the Lok Sabha polls. The government’s move on “One Nation-One Election” has reaffirmed the belief that the BJP will contest polls on PM Modi’s face. Gehlot will be Congress’ face. As of now, Raje is doing her own politics even as BJP is working on joint strategy. This situation in the BJP camp is benefiting the Congress as of now. Raje is not giving any message that she is involved in any anti-party activity. But in the changed scenario, Raje will not be able to damage the party’s poll prospects. Sources say BJP’s internal survey suggests that it is leading over Congress.
BJP has not yet announced its campaign committee. Raje’s supporters are still hopeful that she will be given the charge of this panel. The party is not giving too much importance to Raje’s religious yatra. The BJP has started a parivartan yatra from Saturday. The party national president J.P. Nadda launched the yatra from Sawai Madhopur. State BJP president C.P. Joshi, former party chief Satish Poonia and other leaders participated in the yatra. Raje held a religious yatra just one day before this yatra and gave a message. If Assembly polls are held with Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi will take full control of the election campaign. Then Raje’s calculations will be derailed. The party might take decisions that could give momentum to its Hindutva and polarisation politics. Raje will find it difficult to ensure victory for her son Dushyant Singh. Ticket allocation will be an important exercise as Raje may be offered a Lok Sabha ticket. Sources say that the party might give LS tickets to some MLAs and assembly tickets to some MPs. This will also not go in favour of Raje’s politics. Congress is keeping a close eye on the government’s future course of action. Simultaneous elections will put extra burden on Gehlot as winning Lok Sabha seats from Rajasthan will be another challenge. Congress has not won even a single Lok Sabha seat from Rajasthan during the last two polls. With the BJP focusing on Hindutva and women safety issues, challenges will be immense for the Congress.