This is for the first time, both BJP and Congress are entering the poll fray with ‘apprehensions' over their state leadership. Both the parties are contesting without chief minister face.
There has been much publicised ‘strains' in relationship between former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and BJP central leadership for quite some time. The party fought last four elections on the face of Raje (2003, 2008, 2013, 2018). But this time she has been denied this privilege. The party is going in elections with Prime Minister Modi's face.
Congress senior leader and chief minister Ashok Gehlot is also said to have been facing trust deficit from high command following 25 September incident when his loyalists boycotted legislative party (CLP) meeting and he (Gehlot) stepped down from being candidate for party's national president turning down high command's desire.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge was then one of the central observers who had to face that ‘ignominy'.
What's happening in BJP
For the last five years, BJP central leadership has been trying to develop replacement of Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. In their pursuit, they tried with a few union ministers also but with no success. Raje remained the most popular face in state despite being out of favour from the central leadership.
“There were desperate attempt to dislodge Raje from the centre stage of state politics. Satish Poonia, a known baiter of Raje, was made state president and she was repeatedly ignored during last four and half years. To make it obvious she has not been declared the CM face. But Raje is still the most credible party face in Rajasthan. What if she doesn't enjoy trust of Central leadership?” said Rajendra Arya, a political observer, who has been keeping a close watch on political developments in BJP.
The Congress tale
Gehlot had been the most trusted lieutenant of Gandhi family till the unprecedented incident of September 25. That had shook the trust of high command and confidence of Gehlot. So much so that Gehlot had to tender apology to Sonia Gandhi for that incident. But since then the relationship between Gehlot and Delhi doesn't look smooth.
“Gehlot was preferred over Sachin Pilot in 2018 just because of Gandhi family's trust and his decades old loyalty. But it's not the same now. A gap is created between Gehlot and high command. And it is visible. Gehlot has been avoiding meeting Gandhi family since then. His visits to Delhi has been reduced drastically. But Gehlot is still the best bet for Congress in Rajasthan,” said Ramesh Acharya, a political analyst from Gehlot's home town Jodhpur.
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