India News conducted an extensive ground-level survey in the Bikaner Parliamentary constituency to evaluate the performance of Member of Parliament Arjun Ram Meghwal and to collect valuable feedback from the electorate.
Nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, Bikaner exudes a unique allure. Historical accounts trace its origins to the Mahabharata era when it was recognised as the “Jangal Desh” or forest country. Renowned for its architectural splendour, delectable cuisine, and the rich tapestry of Rajputana culture, Bikaner stands as a testament to historical grandeur and artistic finesse.
Within the Lok Sabha, Bikaner is celebrated for its historical significance, and the political landscape in this constituency consistently buzzes with activity. Presently, Arjun Ram Meghwal, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is the representative for this constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, who also serves as the Minister of Law in the central government, is easily identifiable by his distinctive traditional attire, comprising a dhoti, kurta, and the traditional Rajasthani pagdi.
Even though the central government has provided him with a car, Meghwal frequently chooses to commute to Parliament on a bicycle, showcasing his simplicity. Alongside his political endeavours, Meghwal has a passion for singing folk songs in the Bagri dialect.
His journey in the political arena commenced in 2009 when he emerged victorious in the first Lok Sabha election from Bikaner, contesting on the BJP ticket. This victory came after his retirement from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), adding another dimension to his illustrious career.
Since then, Meghwal has consistently secured victories in the subsequent three terms, establishing himself as a popular leader among the public owing to his commendable work.
However, Bikaner, as a parliamentary constituency, grapples with several pressing issues, including extreme unemployment, urban pollution, a drinking water crisis, dilapidated rural roads, irrigation problems, migration challenges, neglect of education and health, and an environment marked by lawlessness.
The constituency is comprised of a total of eight assembly seats, and Bikaner boasts approximately 1.9 million voters. Political parties make concerted efforts to cater to caste demographics, with votes from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) being crucial. Muslims generally lean towards supporting the Congress, while the BJP tends to garner support from Brahmins, Rajputs, and Vaishyas.
Bikaner, situated in the northwest region of Rajasthan, is often called the “City of Thousand Havelis.” The old city primarily consists of haveli-style buildings, and despite the intricate lanes, it is renowned globally for Bikaneri Bhujia’s savoury aroma and the sweetness of Rasgullas.
However, Bikaner’s Lok Sabha constituency still faces several unresolved issues. The 2024 general election for the Bikaner Lok Sabha seat holds particular significance, and the electorate is likely to scrutinize their MP’s performance closely before casting their votes.
Analyzing parliamentary performance involves delving into factors such as the MP’s presence, the number of questions raised, utilization of MP funds, and special contributions. The MP’s attendance in Parliament stands at approximately 50%. About 50% of the raised questions have either been deliberated upon in the House or have received responses. It’s worth noting that certain MPs actively engage in significant debates.
When it comes to the MP fund, close to 120% has been expended, surpassing the allocated fund by 20%. This excess fund has been primarily directed towards developmental activities within the constituency.
The Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency witnessed an open response from the public concerning our set of six questions. A significant portion of the population perceives the MP’s efforts as evident within the constituency, with a noticeable emphasis on development. Overall, the electorate expresses contentment with the MP’s endeavours, particularly in the realm of developmental initiatives. However, there is a shared desire among voters to witness an even more active role from the MP within the constituency.
When it comes to voting preferences, the voters tend to favour the NDA, signalling satisfaction with the performance of the Modi government. Evaluated on the basis of development, Arjun Ram Meghwal secures a commendable 7 out of 10, equivalent to 4.55, indicating a substantial level of satisfaction.
India News conducted a survey reflecting the sentiments of the people in the Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency regarding the MP’s performance, aligning with our ground survey. The ground survey reflects a satisfaction rating of 65%, signifying higher contentment among the public.
Simultaneously, in the social media survey, where identical questions were posed, the MP secured a score of 60%, indicating a performance above the average level.
Despite Bikaner facing critical issues like extreme unemployment, pollution, water crises, and more, Arjun Ram Meghwal’s developmental initiatives and active engagement in Parliament have garnered positive feedback.
The survey reflects general satisfaction among voters, who acknowledge the MP’s visible efforts but express a collective desire for even greater involvement in addressing local challenges.
Taking all factors into account, Arjun Ram Meghwal emerges as a standout performer with a commendable score of 6.51 out of 10. Consequently, the residents of the Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency grant MP Arjun Ram Meghwal a ‘PASSING’ grade according to the report card.
While these insights have been derived from interactions with numerous individuals in the Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency, predicting the voting pattern for the 2024 elections remains a challenging task at this stage.