The Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat, from where chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav is up against sitting MP and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has emerged as a high-stakes battle for Congress and BJP as the outcome will send a strong political message.
The BJP plans to bring in its top brass to campaign for the seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public meeting in Jodhpur on Monday. BJP chief Amit Shah will hold a grand roadshow in Jodhpur on April 26, just three days ahead of polling on April 29.
Leaders in the Congress familiar with the development said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi may have a roadshow in Jodhpur on last day of the campaign on Saturday.
An RSS leader, who did not want to be named, said: “He (Gehlot) is a three-time CM and one of the most prominent Congress leaders and party’s troubleshooter. If Vaibhav loses, it will dent Gehlot stature here.”
Political analyst Kamal Shrimali said, “This time in addition to the Congress workers, cabinet ministers, MLAs, Gehlot’s personal team from Jaipur is managing Vaibhav’s election.” He is also trying to reach out to different castes and communities. Congress leaders said Gehlot was camping in Jodhpur since April 21. Shrimali said for the first time Gehlot has asked community leaders to reach out to different communities. Minister Saleh Mohammed, who is MLA from Pokaran is reaching out to the Muslims while Kumbh Singh Patawat, a Rajput leader, has been tasked to keep in touch with community. Jagdish Jangid has come from Ganganagar to woo Dalits while Bishnoi leader Kuldeep Bishnoi was roped in from Haryana to reach out to his community. Former Haryana CM Bhupendra Hooda had also held rallies in Jat dominated areas.
On the other hand, BJP is confident that they will garner Rajput, Brahmin, Bania as well as Jat, Bishnoi and OBC community votes. BJP leader Arun Chaturvedi said, “This time the Modi factor will overpower all other factors. The caste factor will not work this time.” The BJP is also hoping that its tie-up with Rashtriya Loktantrik Party will pay dividends in Jodhpur. RLP chief and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal has held three rallies in support of Gajendra Shekhawat in the Jat dominated segments.
{{/usCountry}}On the other hand, BJP is confident that they will garner Rajput, Brahmin, Bania as well as Jat, Bishnoi and OBC community votes. BJP leader Arun Chaturvedi said, “This time the Modi factor will overpower all other factors. The caste factor will not work this time.” The BJP is also hoping that its tie-up with Rashtriya Loktantrik Party will pay dividends in Jodhpur. RLP chief and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal has held three rallies in support of Gajendra Shekhawat in the Jat dominated segments.
{{/usCountry}}The Jodhpur seat has eight assembly segments – Sardarpura, Soorsagar, Jodhpur City, Phalodi, Lohawat, Shergarh, Luni and Pokaran. Congress won six seats while BJP won two.