The Civil Lines constituency is called the VIP area. This seat in the city of Jaipur is unique in that it has more than 50,000 voters from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. These voters behave according to the political waves. The party whose candidate is elected from here forms the government. This time, Congress has once again given the ticket to Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. BJP has introduced a new face, journalist Gopal Sharma, against him. The main contest is between these two, in which Khachariyawas appears formidable due to his political stature. While Khachariyawas is a prominent figure, the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on these Brahmin families makes Khachariyawas apprehensive.
Caste dynamics play a key role:
This seat has the highest number of Brahmin voters. BJP candidate Gopal Sharma is also a Brahmin. The influence of the RSS is more on these Brahmin families. RSS workers are silently working to consolidate these votes. Gopal Sharma’s focus is also more on these voters. In Jaipur, the highest number of Brahmin voters is in this assembly constituency. On the second number, voters from the Vaishya and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities come, but their number is approximately half of the Brahmins. In the region, the number of Muslims is also equal to Vaishya or ST voters. The number of Rajput voters is about one-fifth of the Brahmins. The inclination of Rajputs is towards their caste fellow Khachariyawas. There is also a significant influence of Khachariyawas on Muslims. The Vaishya community is considered a supporter of the BJP. The ST category leans towards the Congress.
Increasing voter turnout favours the Lotus:
Whenever the voter turnout has been low in the Civil Lines constituency, Congress candidates have been fortunate to win. The benefit of an increase in voter turnout goes to the BJP. After the delimitation, in the first election on this seat, there was a 60.80 per cent voter turnout, in which Congress candidate Pratap Singh Khachariyawas defeated BJP’s Ashok Lahoti by 6,961 votes. In 2013, the voter turnout increased to 72.55 per cent. As a result, BJP’s Arun Chaturvedi defeated Khachariyawas by 11,129 votes and entered the assembly. After five years, in 2018, the voter turnout percentage again decreased. At that time, 69.41 per cent of the votes were cast on this seat, and Congress’ Pratap Singh Khachariyawas succeeded in defeating the then BJP MLA Arun Chaturvedi by 18,078 votes. Experts believe that this formula will also be effective this time. If the voter turnout remains higher, the BJP will benefit.
Local issues of Civil Lines:
Although a flyover is being constructed to address traffic issues in the Civil Lines area, the existing Congress MLA is facing anger due to its incomplete status. There is a significant problem with sewage. This problem has persisted for the last 15 years. The sanitation system is also disappointing. The drinking water problem is still unresolved. There is a lack of public toilets. Many people’s settlements were demolished under the Dravyavati River Project. Their housing system has not been fully established yet. These people are dissatisfied with the existing government. In other words, people are not happy with Khachariyawas regarding various issues. BJP’s Gopal Sharma is not missing the opportunity to capitalize on this. During interactions, he assures voters of addressing these issues.
Munesh Gurjar, who was removed from the position of Mayor of Jaipur Heritage Nagar Nigam in a way that left her supporters discontent, is upset with Khachariyawas. There is fear in Congress about Gurjar’s votes going to BJP this time. The party is completely in damage control. Efforts are being made by the youth organizations of both Congress and BJP to woo the new voters added to the voter list in the Civil Lines seat.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF CIVIL LINES
Year Legislator Party
2008 Pratap Singh Khachariyawas Congress
2013 Arun Chaturvedi BJP
2018 Pratap Singh Khachariyawas Congress
VOTE DIFFERENCE IN PAST ASSEMBLY POLLS
Year BJP Congress Vote difference
2008 51,205 58,166 6,961
2013 77,693 66,564 11,129
2018 87,937 69,859 18,078