With preparations for the Rajasthan election having kicked off in full swing, India News surveyed 209 respondents for there opinions on the possible outcomes of the assembly polls in the state that will be held next month. If the ruling Congress party retains power in upcoming elections, it will mean a fourth comeback for incumbent Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
According to the survey, a majority (33.89%) of respondents picked out Gehlot as their first choice for the Chief Ministerial candidate in Rajasthan. Sachin Pilot, with whom Gehlot has had a tenuous relationship in the recent past, received the least amount of responses (8.90%). The BJP’s Vasundhara Raje and Gajendra Shekhawat got 26.70% and 15.18% of responses.
Interestingly, anti-incumbency does not seem to be as big an issue in the poll-bound state as some of the others, with only 5.75% of respondents saying they thought it might pose a problem. Respondents believed corruption (28.27%) and unemployment (26.17%) were the biggest issues in the state. However, it is pertinent to note that the Rajasthan state government has also had to grapple with an increase in crime rates across the state, which may affect its chances.
“I don’t aspire to become the Chief Minister, but this post doesn’t leave me,” veteran Congressman Gehlot said recently “The post won’t probably leave me this time too,” the 72-year-old leader said, reiterating that he never aspired to rule the state. “[But] there is something in me because of which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are letting me to govern the state.”
Gehlot on 18 October broke his silence over reported infighting within the Congress camp with the state polls just over a month away. “All decisions are being taken with everyone’s consensus. I am part of the discussion over supporters of Sachin Pilot,” Gehlot said. “There is no difference between Sachin Pilot and me. Almost all candidates who support Sachin Pilot have been shortlisted and I have not objected to that. This makes clear the leaders have respect and love for each other.” Reacting to the development that a few MLAs from his camp will be denied tickets because of their alleged involvement in boycotting the party’s legislature meet in Jaipur last year, he said that the candidates for the 25 November polls are being selected based on their chances to win. The Congress veteran claimed the Rajasthan legislators have never had any difference within them as everyone was given their due share and everyone is fighting the polls together. “The problem is for the BJP as everything here [the Congress camp] is happening smoothly,” he alerted.
GROUND SURVEY – RAJASTHAN ELECTIONS
Q.1 Who is your first choice for CM of Rajasthan?
Ashok Gehlot: 33.89%
Vasundhara Raje: 26.70%
Sachin Pilot: 8.90%
Gajendra Shekhawat: 15.18%
Can’t say: 15.33%
Q.2 Will Congress suffer loss due to Sachin Pilot-Ashok Gehlot tussle in Rajasthan?
Yes: 52.39%
No: 40.21%
Can’t say: 7.40%
Q.3 Will Vasundhara Raje’s anger harm BJP’s chances in Rajasthan?
Yes: 50.70%
No: 42.40%
Can’t say: 6.90%
Q.4 Will rebels cause a problem for parties in Rajasthan? If so, which one?
Congress: 43.97%
BJP: 40.46%
Can’t say: 15.57%
Q.5 What is the biggest electoral issue this time in Rajasthan?
Anti-incumbency: 5.75%
Inflation: 18.87%
Unemployment: 26.17%
Corruption: 28.27%
Caste census: 10.47%
Can’t say: 10.47%