The Congress in Rajasthan is smelling power; it’s also trying to recover from an image about which it has done nothing to make a comeback. The Congress is being blamed for wanting to benefit politically from the agitations led by farmers, students, workers and various marginalised groups, against the BJP government in the State. Those who were on streets against the BJP said that the Congress was not present anywhere during those protests, even inside the Assembly.

The Congress’ share of seats in the 200-member Assembly has been reduced to 21— its worst performance in history. Compared to her first term in 2003, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje faced criticism even from her party, but the Congress has not been in a position to gain. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the party failed to win even a single seat, but the bypolls held in Alwar and Ajmer earlier this year proved that the beneficiary of the anti-incumbency in the State is the Congress.

“Congress is trying to gain vote by playing negative politics. It has not done anything against the BJP government in the last five years. But it is trying to gain from the protests against this government’s policies,” said Dulichand Borda, State’s Kisan Sabha leader.

In this election, the Congress is trying to win the confidence of the people by ensuring a proper mix of various castes and religions in their candidates list. “The list has a proper representation of Jats, Rajputs, Dalits, tribal groups, minorities and women. It is a balanced list,” said Naresh Dadhich, Chairman, Vichar Vibhag of the Rajasthan Congress. The party has also decided to field “the best” of its candidates. The four leading figures in the State unit — former chief minister Ashok Gehlot; PCC president Sachin Pilot; former Union Ministers Girija Vyas and CP Joshi — are in the fray.

Dadhich added that the Congress’ manifesto pegs on farmers’ issues and unemployment. “We will make a definite proposal in the manifesto that farm loans will be waived and employment opportunities created. Also, an allowance of at least ₹3,500 will be provided to unemployed youth when we come to power,” he said.

Vote banks

What worries the Congress is a perfect machinery of the BJP and the RSS at the ground. “They have a well-oiled mechanism at each polling booth. I feel that we are underestimating the rival. It is not easy to defeat the BJP. They may use any methods to win,” said a senior leader of the party.

The caste combinations that the Congress had preferred have also changed over time. “The votes of Jats, Brahmins, minorities and Dalits no more work in our favour. The BJP has eaten into our base. A strong anti-incumbency is the only pillar for us to bend on,” said another leader.

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