The voters have left everyone guessing about the outcome in Rajasthan, with both Congress and BJP claiming victory in the recent assembly polls. Most journalists and analysts predict a BJP win post-voting. They believe that if Congress loses, it would be due to internal conflicts and public resentment against party MLAs and ministers. The increased voting percentage indicates underlying support for government welfare schemes. The outcome on December 3 will reveal whether voters prioritize PM Modi’s security guarantee or Gehlot’s welfare initiatives.
Gehlot has diligently worked to meet families’ basic needs, ensuring education, health facilities, restoring the Old Pension Scheme, providing pensions, food packets, affordable cylinders, free hospital treatment, and waiving farmers’ loans. The election will show whether voters prefer polarization politics over welfare schemes. A Congress loss may indicate BJP’s improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, seen as a success of polarizing issues like the Ram Mandir. Following the grand Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, BJP plans to organize darshans of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, aiming to create a religious atmosphere in Lord Ram’s name.
There are indications that the centre might dissolve the Lok Sabha ahead of the budget session for early elections. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi plans to organize the second part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in January. However, the Ayodhya agenda will heavily influence Congress’ political move. This is why the Rajasthan poll results will be significant for both Congress and the BJP. The saffron party conducted various experiments during the campaign in Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath promised free darshan of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. PM Modi brought up the Kanhaiya Lal murder, the ban on the Ram Navmi procession in Rajasthan, and other polarising matters. BJP workers highlighted these issues, working hard to persuade voters to support saffron party candidates.
In what bodes ill for Congress, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot handled the entire campaign on his own. Party leaders, ministers, and MLAs did not work as hard as expected. Most leaders from Delhi did not provide a positive report on Rajasthan. It is said that Congress insiders indirectly helped BJP candidates, with reports suggesting assistance to opponents in the Jaipur City seat for monetary benefits. There is total confusion about the outcome, and the increase in vote percentage has added to the confusion. Previous records show that BJP won when voting percentage increased, and Congress was victorious when voting percentage decreased. Some argue that the voter turnout went up due to welfare schemes. Significantly, no party is claiming a big victory after the voting.