Rajasthan election results: Infighting throws Ashok Gehlot off perch

Rajasthan repeated its quarter-century-long record of throwing out the incumbent government in the state.

Public sentiment against Congress’ sitting legislators, angst over instances of ‘paper leaks’ and livelihood issues propelled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday to victory in the Assembly polls with a majority of 114 seats, while the incumbent Congress bagged just 68.  

One of the positives for the Congress was Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s welfare policies.

However, experts pointed out that the overconfidence and apathy of the legislators were among the major reasons for the party’s debacle in the state polls.

“You (Congress) can’t just get active when the elections are near. One has to be available throughout the tenure, and BJP knows this very well,” said Sanjay Lodha, Rajasthan coordinator of CSDS-Lokniti.

Paper leak scams, instances of atrocities against Dalits, high prices, and unemployment had plagued the state and the Opposition BJP had cashed in on all these issues.

Gehlot tried to douse the public ire through his welfare schemes in health, education, and employment generation but they proved inadequate.

Also, infighting took its toll on the Congress. A rebellion led by Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot in 2020 had almost toppled the Gehlot government then. Following this, Pilot was dropped as state Congress chief.

While the Congress tried to show a united front during its campaign, with even Pilot appealing to people to back the party, it failed to send the message across. However, Gehlot’s fall could result in Pilot’s rise.

Two-time Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s strategy of fighting on Narendra Modi’s name rather than projecting herself has prompted her supporters to say that her loyalty to the party should be rewarded and Raje must be made CM again.

Others in the fray for the top job include Lok Sabha MP Diya Kumari, who was one of the seven MPs BJP had fielded in the Assembly polls.

“The CM will only be decided by the high command, once the victory is clear,” BJP state unit chief CP Joshi had told Business Standard during campaigning.

Among the heavyweights, Gehlot won in Sardarpura by a margin of over 26,396 votes. Pilot also secured his Tonk seat with a minor margin. Meanwhile, Raje also won her seat at Jhalrapatan for the sixth time in a row.

Among the losers were Congress leader and Assembly Speaker CP Joshi and former BJP state unit chief Satish Poonia.