Ahead of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a strategic move and shifted the strategy towards politics of polarization. In his rallies he has been able to conduct explosive rallies and launched scathing attacks on Congress. The Prime Minister kicked off his rallies in Banswara and Tonk Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, with a focus on issues like property distribution among Muslims and the significance of the Mangal Sutra. This sets the tone for a campaign in the second phase that appears to revolve around Hindu-Muslim dynamics. PM spared no effort in rallying support in Rajasthan, aiming to secure victories in all seats during the upcoming phase.
Campaigning for the second phase of voting in Rajasthan concluded on Wednesday evening. Now the candidates shall engage in door to door campaigning. The campaigning prior to the second phase of voting is being done rigorously. The BJP’s central leadership has thrown its full weight behind the campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the sole support for BJP candidates on all 24 seats except for Jhalawar-Baran. To give more strength to the campaign BJP has quite conscientiously put forward the points that can divert the elections in the direction of polarization. In just two rallies he has been successful in his undertaking. By speaking on Hanuman Chalisa in the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur rally, he made sure that now the focus comes on Lord Hanuman also. However, the issue of snatching property has now sparked debate.
Besides, the BJP has meticulously used the statement given by Sam Pitroda and become more aggressive. In discussions regarding the inheritance tax debate in India, Pitroda mentioned that in America, half of the property is distributed among the public after death, sparking controversy, which added fuel to fire. Sam Pitroda, close to Gandhi family, giving the example of America, has brought Congress on backfoot. Talking about the debate on inheritance tax in India, Pitroda said that in America, after death, half of the property is distributed among the public, has created a controversy.
Following the assembly elections in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Modi took charge of the Lok Sabha elections as well. He visited Rajasthan seven times, conducting rallies and road shows to garner support for candidates, particularly focusing on vulnerable constituencies. Alongside other prominent party figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, efforts were made to rally voters. Additionally, cine actress Kangana Ranaut, contesting from the Mandi seat in Himachal Pradesh, campaigned for BJP candidates. Notably, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje tirelessly campaigned day and night on the Jhalawar-Baran seat to secure a significant victory for her son Dushyant Singh, with party president JP Nadda making an appearance on the day of nomination. However, other leaders did not visit Jhalawar.
Apart from this Prime Minister Modi has experimented by giving opportunity to many new faces in Rajasthan or it can also be said that the PM has played a big bet on new faces. On the other hand, Congress’s campaign this time was neither aggressive nor did the national leaders show interest. The leaders contesting the national elections did not make too many demands. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi made election visits to Rajasthan twice. At the same time, party president Mallikarjun Kharge also came on election tour only once. The party’s supreme leader Sonia Gandhi initially addressed a rally in Jaipur. In a way, the candidates themselves contested the elections in Congress because they had their own issues. An attempt was made to control caste politics as much as possible. The candidates had more confidence in their own guarantees than in the guarantees of their party.
Therefore, after the first phase of voting, Congress is still hopeful of winning some seats. However, BJP claims that despite low turnout in the first phase, it is going to win all the seats. The second phase of voting will take place on April 26. Where BJP has worked on a new strategy to increase voting. At the same time, the election has been made Hindu-Muslim. In such a situation, it is understood that in the second phase, the focus will be on whether the voter left his house.
