Prime minister Narendra Modi has his task cut out when he will address a rally in Baytoo, an assembly constituency in Barmer. The BJP, which had won only one seat out of nine in Barmer-Jaisalmer parliamentary constituency in 2018, aims to improve its tally banking on Modi charisma.
While at Pokaran seat where the fight is between a Hindu saint Mahant Pratap Puri and son of a Muslim religious leader Saleh Mohammad, who is also a cabinet minister, the seat of Baytoo from where senior Congress leader Harish Chaudhary is contesting is stuck in a triangular fight between BJP-Congress-RLP similar to last time.
Modi is likely to push the agenda of Hindutva and nationalism in the district bordering Pakistan.
“Modi's rally will have impact on seats in Barmer-Jaisalmer. Here BJP doesn't look strong on paper and need a push to win more seats. There are few seats whereby the party is tangled in a triangular fight. Modi's influence will help party sail through,” said Ranveer Singh Bhati, a Rajput leader in Barmer.
Why Modi chose Baytoo
Baytoo is the most important and VIP seat of Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency. Senior Congress leader and close aide of Rahul Gandhi, Harish Chaudhary is contesting from this seat. The BJP has fielded an old party member Balaram Moodh who is debuting in assembly elections. Giving the two a tough fight is Ummeda Ram Beniwal, who stood second in last election while BJP' a candidate Kailash Choudhary, who is now minister of state in Modi's cabinet had finished on third spot.
In this Jat dominated constituency, the bigger Jat will win.
“Modi's rally will definitely impact the overall scenario in Baytoo and adjoining Sheo and Siwana constituencies. From Siwana Manvendra Singh, son of former BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh, is contesting on Congress ticket. Last time, Manavendra Singh had challenged former chief minister Vasundhara Raje from Jhalrapatan but lost badly.
“This time also, Manvendra Singh was interested in contesting from Sheo seat but Congress has fielded him from Siwana. Modi factor will further increase his difficulties as he is facing a tough candidate Hamir Singh Bhawal, who has won this seat twice consecutively and is aiming for a hat trick,” said Raghuveer Singh, a local journalist.
The BuckStopper, run by a group of seasoned journalists, holds the powerful accountable. The buck stops with them, as they cannot shrug off their official responsibilities.
