On the final day of election campaigning in Rajasthan, both the Congress and the BJP launched attacks on each other over several issues. The BJP raised concerns such as appeasement, corruption, and security, while the Congress highlighted its achievements. In what seemed like a significant gambit, the ruling party attempted to frame the polls as a Gujarati versus Rajasthani battle.
Chief Minister Gehlot did not directly use these terms, but he set the narrative by recalling the Gujarat polls of 2017. During a press conference on Thursday, CM Gehlot said, “I was in charge there during the Gujarat elections in 2017. Then Modi ji said, ‘Bhaiyon-Behno if you listen to Marwari, then where will I go?’ And he got votes, thereby making an emotional appeal; otherwise, we [Congress] would have won. Now PM Modi himself is coming here. Now I am not saying that if you listen to Gujarati, where will I go? Therefore, people of Rajasthan, I am yours only; I am not away from you.”
Gehlot tried to set the Gujarati versus Rajasthani narrative. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, tried to dilute the issue, saying that Rajasthanis are fighting on all seats. It is the first time that the BJP is contesting polls on the PM’s face in Rajasthan. Shah is also handling electoral responsibilities. The Rajasthani versus Gujarati narrative is being seen as Gehlot’s political move two days ahead of voting. Gehlot also referred to an advertisement given by the BJP in the media on the law and order situation in Rajasthan. Gehlot waved the newspaper carrying this advertisement. He appealed to voters to cast their votes on his face only. He lashed out at the BJP and tried to reply on issues like the Red Diary, appeasement, etc. There are indications that the Congress might give a further push to the Rajasthani versus Gujarati narrative during the next 48 hours before voting. The same “Gujarati” narrative was seen during polls in Bihar and West Bengal where BJP had to suffer a loss.