Local issues may stymie Brand Modi in Rajasthan
The Brand Modi, riding on governance accomplishments and the country’s growing international stand during the decade-long stint at the Centre, is facing challenges on local issues such as inflation, unemployment, lack of MSP for agricultural produce, and water crisis that impacts daily lives of the people of Rajasthan.
The desert State is going to vote on 12 Lok Sabha seats in the first phase of polling on April 19 and the remaining 13 on April 26.
Election managers and candidates of BJP are trying to address the State-specific issues during their nukkar meetings and campaigning for 12 Lok Sabha constituencies — Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu, Seeker, Jaipur, Jaipur Rural, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Karauli-Dholpur — which ended on Wednesday. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, the BJP’s candidate from Alwar Lok Sabha constituency, in his interview to businessline said that normally votes are cast for “vikalp” (to seek viable alternative), but this is a “pro-governance election” fought on Viksit Bharat and the Prime Minister’s unparalleled achievements.
FACING THE HEAT
But Bhupender Yadav — pitted against Congress’ Jatin Yadav, a Congress MLA from Mundawar — during his campaign through the dusty lanes of villages in the scorching heat had to answer the local outpouring which are common across his constituency.
This despite the fact that the Union Minister repeatedly made it a point to convince people on subjects like water crisis, which he said will be addressed through the Eastern Rajasthan
Bhupender Yadav during his campaign had to answer the local outpouring which are common across his constituency
Canal Project. He would also broach the paper leak topic, assuring that the mafia will be wiped out to provide opportunities for youth.
Interestingly, in one of his campaigning tours of Semli Dilawar of Lachhmangarh tehsil, a village dominated by Guar community, women came forward to raise the water issue.
A State BJP leader said that candidates and their campaign managers are facing this scenario which did not exist in the last two general elections. While they are seeking vote on Modi’s popularity and the unprecedented growth during the NDA’s consecutive stints at the Centre, people are equally interested in knowing solutions to problems nagging them, the leader added.
Sandeep Kumar Saini, a 20-year-old resident of Puthka village of Bharatpur, repeated that water and unemployment are major issues for him. In the absence of government vacancies, he said he appeared for the UP police constable recruitment examination recently.
Saini evaded a query whether he would vote for Modi again this time.
As of now, the BJP also does not have strong State charismatic leaders such as former Chief Ministers Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Vasundhara Raje Scindia to act as messengers for Modi and galvanise dierent community leaders during the elections.
NO CROWD
BJP sources said that CM Sharma’s campaign rallies have failed to draw crowd and a report has gone to the central leadership about it.
Not just that, in the Lok Sabha seats of Shekhawati region of Jhunjhunu, Seeker and Churu, dierent caste loyalties of Jats and Gujjars, and Schedule Tribe Meenas, dormant in the previous polls due to Modi wave, are also getting a significant play.
The opposition’s campaign that if BJP gets ‘400 Paar’, it will change the Constitution has also found traction among the beneficiaries of reservation especially the Schedule Caste, forcing Modi and Amit Shah to outrightly deny it.
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