Rajasthan BJP's First List Focusses On Caste Mathematics, Axes Close Aides Of Vasundhara Raje

On October 9, hours after the Election Commission (EC) announced the dates for the Rajasthan polls, the BJP released its first list of 41 candidates. The first list is seen as a strategic move by the saffron party as it had lost 40 out of the 41 seats in the assembly polls of 2018. The list includes names of seven MPs who will now represent the BJP in the assembly polls, slated on November 25.

While murmurs in the party office suggest that more MPs will be accommodated in the remaining list of 159 candidates, there is also a huge revolt by the local leaders against the decision to field MPs in the assembly polls. 

In 2018, none of the MPs found a place in the BJP's list, and the focus was more on accommodating local leaders. The party's recent move seems to be in sync with neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, where in the same fashion, MPs have been declared as candidates for the assembly polls. 

The seven MPs include Diya Kumari (Vidhyadhar Nagar), Bhagirath Choudhary (Kishangarh), Kirodi Lal Meena (Sawai Madhopur), Devji Patel (Sanchore), Narendra Kumar (Mandawa), Rajyavardhan Rathore (Jhotwara) and Baba Balaknath (Tijara).

As per the list, BJP's sitting MP from Rajyasamand Diya Kumari will replace sitting BJP MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi, who is the son-in-law of late Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Rajvi (72) has been winning from Vidhyadhar Nagar since 2008. The constituency houses a prominent structure of Shekhawat and it is believed that voters share an emotional connection with him. Similarly, Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, another Congress stalwart leader will be replaced by sitting MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. 

Both Kumari and Rathore joined the BJP in 2013. Kumari, a member of the erstwhile family, was the BJP MLA from Sawai Madhopur between 2013 and 2018 and later won the MP seat from Rajsamand. On the contrary, Rathore, Olympic silver medallist in shooting and former Information and Broadcasting minister has remained a two-term MP from Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 and 2019. Contesting from Jhotwara will be his maiden entry in assembly polls. 

"Both Kumari and Rathore have been fielded from seats that are considered relatively safe for the BJP. By the replacement they not only sidelined the duo leaders who are close to Raje but also sidelined the family of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. A similar move was done by Raje when she sidelined BJP's stalwart Jaswant Singh in her regime," a BJP leader told Outlook. 

Roar over replacement of party ticket aspirants

In both Vidhyadhar Nagar and Jhotwara constituencies, supporters of Rajvi and Shekhawat protested against their replacement. The supporters are also voicing their views on social media and demanding a change in the list. 

Similarly, another leader Vikas Choudhary, who was the BJP's ticket aspirant from Kishangarh, was replaced by sitting MP Bhagirath Choudhary. The 36-year-old leader had contested the elections in 2018 but lost. 

"I was hopeful and working hard. Last time I secured 65,000 votes despite the anti-incumbency wave and this time I was sure that I would perform better. But instead of believing in a young candidate, BJP chose a 70-year-old MP," Vikas told Outlook. 

On Tuesday, Rajasthan BJP in-charge Arun Singh said that the party shall form an internal committee and deal with all issues arising due to ticket distribution and will make sure that party leaders are convinced. As per sources, an internal committee shall be formed under the leadership of Union Minister Kailash Choudhry. 

Caste factor 

The first list is also indicative of the BJP's focus on caste dynamics. The party has roped in Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena, the stalwart tribal leader in Rajasthan, from the Sawai Madhopur Assembly constituency. In 2018, the BJP lost the seat to Congress. 

Similarly, Vijay Bainsla who is the son of late Col Kirori Singh Bainsla, the face of the reservation movement for Gujjars, has been given a ticket from Uniara - Deoli constituency.

The BJP has focussed on the Gujjar and Meena, key vote banks, by bringing in two faces. The move can help the party improve its performance in eastern Rajasthan, where in 2018 it could only win one out of 24 constituencies. Last time, the BJP gave tickets to nine Gujjar candidates from eastern Rajasthan and all of them lost.

The BJP has fielded Hindu priest Baba Balak Nath, from the Tijara assembly constituency. Balak Nath, the incumbent Alwar MP, is a disciple of the late Chand Nath Yogi, former BJP Alwar MP. After the latter died in 201, Balak Nath became his successor.

The Rajasthan Assembly comprises 200 seats, out of which 141 are general seats whereas 34 and 25 seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories respectively. At present, the ruling Congress party has 108 seats, followed by the opposition BJP with 70 seats, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has two seats, Rashtriya Lok Dal one seat, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party three seats, Bhartiya Tribal Party two seats, and there are thirteen Independent candidates as well.

Rajasthan will go to polls on November 25 and will see a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP. Anti-incumbency has been an important factor since 1993. The state has a total of 5.25 crore voters, including 2.73 crore males, 2.51 crore females, and 604 transgender persons.