In the final days of the Rajasthan election campaign, the BJP appeared to have the upper hand in the matter of campaigning against the Congress. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National President JP Nadda to all prominent leaders, central ministers, and chief ministers of states, exerted their strength.
The BJP targeted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his government throughout their entire campaign. Rather than responding to allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress’s senior leaders, Chief Minister Gehlot was the main target. BJP laid emphasis on the politics of polarization by mentioning the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. From allegations of Muslim appeasement against Congress to issues like the Laal Diary, corruption, paper leaks, and failures in law and order, the BJP made these issues the focus of their campaign. Not only this, no stone was left unturned in highlighting the failures of the government in the advertisements given to newspapers.
The strategists of the BJP knew that the election would revolve entirely around Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot because his schemes were showing results on the ground. Then BJP was not able to break the strategy adopted by Congress regarding seven guarantees. On the contrary, the BJP tried to corner Congress by using the word “Khoj Guarantee” of Congress. Prime Minister Modi used his announcements by calling it “Modi’s guarantee.” This time, the BJP did not directly find any issue that could bring the Hindu agenda to the forefront. Therefore, after focusing on the Udaipur murder case and providing free visits to the Ram temple, they shifted their focus to the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir. After this, they mentioned the Laal Diary and targeted Gehlot. An attempt was made to convey that the Gehlot government was corrupt. Along with this, the cash found in the ED raids was also highlighted. On the paper leak, an effort was made to show Gehlot’s government failing. In addition to these, the rising atrocities against women and the Congress government’s failure to ensure women’s security were made the main electoral weapon. Not only that, the BJP used social media effectively compared to Congress. Until 72 hours before voting, the BJP was quite successful in creating an atmosphere that their government was coming back. Results about the seats started circulating on social media. The BJP knew that they didn’t have any issue equivalent to reinstating the Old Pension or providing free treatment up to 25 lakhs. When the BJP mentioned Rs 450 gas cylinders under the Ujjawala Scheme, Congress promised Rs 400. Therefore, the BJP, by hook or by crook, focused on creating an atmosphere in their favour. After attacking Chief Minister Gehlot and emphasising distributing attention through schemes, it remains to be seen what the BJP does in the remaining 48 hours before voting. BJP is 20 behind Congress in terms of cadre. All the hopes of Congress are from Chief Minister Gehlot and his guarantees.
