Modi Ji desh ke liye to sochte hai, magar wo kisano ke bare me picchle paanch saal me ek baar bhi nahi soche (Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thought about the country, but not about the farmers, not even once in the last five years), said Harpar Singh a septuagenarian farmer from Sikkar.

Singh is a quintessential Jat farmer who voted for the BJP in 2014 during the ‘Modi wave’ and is now looking for other options. His disinterest in the BJP stems fromfrom lack of water and adequate prices for the crops in the region.

The BJP had gathered on average 80 per cent of the Jat votes in constituencies such as Churu, Jaipur Rural and Bikaner in 2014 and its candidates won with wide margins. But the farming belt of Rajasthan between Bikaner and Jaipur does not look as promising for the BJP as it was in 2014.

The Congress, through its loan waiver schemes and promise of a minimum income, is slowly trying to win back the Jats — a community that has supported the Congress for years in the past. “They also may not solve our problems, but at least they are ready to hear us,” said Nathu Ram, sarpanch of a village near Bikaner.

The BJP’s struggle in the area is how to make the border disputes and surgical strikes a major issue than livelihood issues. The party still enjoys a good support from the youngsters of the Jat community. But the elders are not happy. “People here are ready to work hard. The governments are supposed to help us with good price for our produce along with subsidies for input cost, adequate water and power. But in the last five years, we have got nothing but promises,” said Rewat Singh from Biramsar village in Churu.

Biramsar has about 45 per cent Jat population out of the 1,800 voters. The villagers are open about their problems with the BJP. “I have been hearing about linking Yamuna canal with our village for the last 40 years. Nothing has been done till now,” Singh added. Unlike in other villages, the youth of Biramsar is also against the BJP. “Our vote here will be based on livelihood issues we face,” said Dharampal, a young farmer.

BJP’s young leader and sitting MP from Churu Rahul Kaswan understands this anger. “Water is an issue. An MP has certain limitations. But I have worked for the people within these limitations. They will repose faith in me,” Kaswan said.

The Congress, smelling this unrest, has fielded Jat candidates in seats such as Jaipur Rural and Nagaur. The BJP had roped in on Jat strongman Hanuman Beniwal and has fielded him in Nagaur. But this is also not helping the BJP much. “Some youngsters in our community are behind him. But he is not credible. He has been switching sides between the BJP and the Congress,” said Chhota Ram Poonia, a farmer from Jhunjhunu.

‘Confident of win’

The Congress is confident of winning at least 80 per cent of the Jat votes. “A good proportion of the Jat votes came back to us in the Assembly elections. Loan waiver has proved that we are serious about implementing what we promise. This will bring rest of the farmers also back to us,” said Fatehpur MLA Hakam Ali. He said Jats, minorities and Dalits will prove to be a deadly combination for the BJP in 2019. “All of these sections are related to agriculture in one way or the other. The BJP destroyed the sector and that is the reason why we are getting more support,” Ali said.

The protests of farmers led by CPI(M) leader Amra Ram also had an impact on the Jats. But the Congress, apparently, is the beneficiary of these struggles. Though Amra Ram is a candidate, Lalu Ram, a farmer from Sikkar said, his vote will be for the Congress.

For more stories, click here - India Votes: Lok Sabha Elections 2019

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