Rajasthan Politics: Congress Seeks to Break the Pattern
The Politics of Rajasthan
Since the first assembly election in 1993, Rajasthan politics has followed a deeply etched template. The two major national parties, BJP and Congress, alternate in power every five years.
This time, Ashok Gehlot’s Congress is confident of bucking the trend. The party’s pro-poor schemes and people-friendly state budget should help it win the elections, he says.
History
Political instability has dominated Rajasthan politics for decades. Despite a series of short-lived governments, the state continues to shuffle between the Congress and the BJP. Moreover, the recent rebellion by Congress lawmakers against Ashok Gehlot’s leadership is making things more complicated for the party.
Until independence, Rajasthan was one of the few states insulated from major mass movements that would challenge traditional rule. The state was also the first to experiment with panchayat raj, a system of democratic decentralization that endorsed the principles of Mohandas Gandhi’s village council movement.
The state government is a three-tier structure, with the chief minister holding the most power and executive authority. The governor of the state holds de jure power, but the post is not a fulcrum of governance. The state’s revolving door politics have fascinated observers. For instance, every election, tall claims are made about bringing electricity and water to rural areas, but the state still lacks these essential services.
Electoral system
Historically, Rajasthan elections have been close contests between the Congress and the BJP. Nevertheless, a few smaller parties and independent candidates have also made an impact in the state’s politics. However, over the years, the share of voters going to independents has been declining.
This election was no different. Both parties renominated most of their incumbent legislators. However, less than half of them won, indicating strong anti-incumbency sentiment.
Despite the BJP’s best efforts, it could not overcome this trend. In addition, the five-year BJP rule in Rajasthan has been marred by violence by cow vigilantes, farmers’ agitation, and unemployment. Moreover, the infighting between Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot has also hurt the party’s prospects in the state. Hence, it seems unlikely that the BJP will be able to win a majority in this election. However, the saffron party is expected to retain its control over the state.
Political parties
There are a number of political parties in Rajasthan. The most prominent are the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The latter has won the most seats in each election since 2008, and has been in power for three times. Vasundhara Raje is the current Chief Minister.
The Congress has a history of being the main opposition in Rajasthan and occasionally forms the government as well. Its ideology is centered on secularism and social justice. The party has a large grassroots network in the state and is capable of mobilising supporters during elections.
There are also smaller parties that cater to specific groups in the state. These include the Gareeb Jankranti Party, National Unionist Zamindara Party, and All India Christian Democratic and Backward People’s Party. The BSP is another notable party, and its leader, Mayawati, has a significant amount of support in the state. Moreover, the party has a dedicated base among the Dalit community.
Chief ministers
The state has had several Chief Ministers, each leaving a unique mark on the political landscape of Rajasthan. Vasundhara Raje’s empowering of women through the promotion of self-help groups was particularly notable. She was the first woman to occupy this position and is a renowned leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ashok Gehlot was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan from 1st December 1998 to 8th December 2003 and from 13th December 2008 to 12th December 2013. He belonged to the Indian Congress Party.
The BJP recently won the Rajasthan elections with a thumping majority. In a surprise move, the party chose a first-time MLA, Bhajanlal Sharma, to be its next Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He has been elected from the Sanganer seat and is associated with the RSS’s student wing ABVP. He has also served as the BJP’s state general secretary four times. The BJP has named Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as his deputies, while MLA Vasudev Devnani will be the Speaker of the assembly.