They say marriages are made in heaven, performed on earth. This time, ticket distribution for both parties – Congress and BJP – will be decide at central leadership and the election will be fought on ground.
Both BJP and Congress are entering the poll fray with ‘apprehensions' over their state leadership. Both the parties are contesting without chief minister face. Neither Rajasthan chief Ashok Gehlot nor former chief minister Vasundhara Raje can guarantee ticket to any of their supporters. In both the parties central leadership will decide.
“Both parties have conducted several surveys at state level to know the potential of candidates. But then there is a secret survey, conducted by top leadership, which will supersede all surveys in deciding tickets,” said a senior Congress leader.
With recent misfire of appointment of Col Kesari Singh Rathore as RPSC member, Gehlot has lost more ground in Delhi durbar. Sonia Gandhi is said to be miffed with Gehlot's blunder (which he had admitted) during the crucial election time. Not only his act upset the opposing Jats but now after admitting to have done blunder in appointing Col Rathore, Gehlot may lose on Rajput votes also.
There have been protest in BJP after the declaration of first list. In a core group meeting held on Friday, Vasundhara Raje said that the party should keep sentiments of party workers while deciding the tickets.
Why centralisation of power this time?
In Congress as well as BJP, there are more than three factions and to control conflict ticket distribution, the central leadership has taken up this job in their hands. They have their own feedback mechanism free from any recommendations from local leaders.
“Gehlot, Sachin and Dotasara may recommend names but central leadership will not take this on face value. Even if they finalise those names, leadership will have their own reasons. Similarly, in BJP, Amit Shah is the key. Every name is passing through him,” said Rajendra Awasthi, who has close sources in both the parties.
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.
Ram Kumar Kaushik is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience across mediums. The architect of this news website, he is also a consultant with several media groups. He was formerly the group managing editor of ITV Network (NewsX, India News and The Sunday Guardian) and its digital products.
