In a decisive turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious in the Rajasthan assembly elections, solidifying its standing in the Hindi heartland state ahead of the 2024 elections. The results point to a series of challenges and missteps that led to the downfall of the Congress party in the state.
Infighting Woes :
Both BJP and Congress grappled with internal factionalism, but BJP managed to navigate its internal rifts more effectively. With various factions under heavyweight leaders like Vasundhara Raje and CP Joshi, BJP strategically avoided projecting a CM candidate, relying on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to diffuse factionalism.
In contrast, Congress’s efforts to mend the prolonged feud between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot appeared insufficient, as evidenced by slogans against Congress MLA Danish Abrar during his visit to Sawai Madhopur. The last-minute appointments of state unit office-bearers and district presidents limited their effectiveness in connecting with the masses.
Corruption Charges and ‘Red Diary’ Episode:
Allegations of corruption, paper leaks in government recruitment exams, and the ‘red diary’ controversy proved detrimental to Congress’s electoral prospects. Enforcement Directorate raids against state Congress chief Govind Dotasara and Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot, coupled with accusations of examination paper leaks during the Congress regime, became focal points for BJP’s attacks.
Former minister Rajendra Gudha’s claims of a “red diary” detailing financial irregularities involving the CM and associates fueled BJP’s narrative. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to the “Lal Diary” at rallies heightened the impact of corruption charges against the Gehlot government.
Welfare Schemes and Grassroots Reach :
Despite Congress’s announcement of several welfare schemes, including the Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme, the initiatives failed to effectively penetrate grassroots levels. Congress’s campaign focusing on Gautam Adani and crony capitalism, coupled with a shift in government spending towards welfare schemes, diverted attention from infrastructure development and employment, a point highlighted by BJP.
Law and Order Failures :
Congress’s attempts to corner BJP over violence in Manipur were overshadowed by law and order failures in Rajasthan. Incidents like the beating death of a Dalit boy in Jalore and the lynching of a vendor in Alwar drew attention to the Gehlot government’s policing shortcomings. Sachin Pilot’s expressed concern over such incidents further highlighted internal criticism. BJP capitalized on these failures, emphasizing atrocities against Dalits and women and using the slogan “Nahin sahega Rajasthan.”
The culmination of these factors resulted in a significant electoral setback for Congress in Rajasthan, underscoring the challenges the party faces in navigating internal dynamics, addressing corruption allegations, and effectively communicating with voters at the grassroots level.
