The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to field strong candidates in constituencies that are considered Congress strongholds. This move could pose a challenge to four prominent Congress leaders. Their names are Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (Sardarpura Assembly seat), Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi (Nathdwara), former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot (Tonk Assembly seat), and Pradesh Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara (Laxmangarh Assembly seat). The party has nominated Subhash Meheria in front of Dotasara as part of this strategy. After the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, the focus for all parties is now on ticket distribution.
In fact, the BJP is planning to field strong candidates and some prominent faces against Congress’s prominent leaders. This will force Congress’s prominent leaders to focus more on their constituencies. This will have an impact on other constituencies. BJP had previously used a similar strategy in the Amethi constituency, which was considered a stronghold of the Gandhi family, and pitted Union Minister Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi in the elections. Rahul Gandhi was busy in other constituencies, and he had to pay the price for this. He lost the election from his traditional seat, Amethi. BJP is planning to implement this strategy in Rajasthan as well.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat against Gehlot:
According to reliable sources associated with BJP, this time, from the Sardarpura Assembly constituency, Ashok Gehlot may face Central Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the elections. Similarly, in front of C.P. Joshi, BJP may nominate a prominent face from the Nathdwara constituency. In this series, Govind Singh Dotasara will face former Central Minister Subhash Meheria.
This time, there will be changes in the equation:
BJP has fielded Shambhu Singh Khetasar against Ashok Gehlot in the last two elections from the Sardarpura seat. Shambhu Singh lost both times. In 2008, the BJP fielded the present Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot against Ashok Gehlot, but he also could not stand against Gehlot. Similarly, in the last elections, the BJP fielded Mahesh Pratap Singh against C.P. Joshi in front of C.P. Joshi. In the upcoming assembly elections, there will be changes in the candidates’ lineup.
Possibility of Alka Gurjar against Pilot:
Former Deputy Chief Minister and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot may face BJP National Minister Dr Alka Singh Gurjar in the elections. Alka has been touring the Tonk district for a long time. Although Alka is also a contender for the Bandikui Assembly seat, BJP might field her against Sachin Pilot to focus on the Gurjar vote bank and keep Sachin Pilot engaged in his constituency during the election.