Away from the debate over Gujarat versus Rajasthan development models, the politics in the desert region of Marwar, that also houses the constituency of chief minister Ashok Gehlot, is hinged on caste configuration.
At present, Jodhpur district, which has 10 out of 31 Assembly constituencies spread over the erstwhile Marwar princely state, is still waking up to the political heat. Big rallies will, however, start from the coming week when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will address rallies, building momentum for the December 1 poll.
The Election Commission’s stern imposing of rules has resulted in the lack of pomp. Interestingly, the administration’s billboards and banners encouraging voters to exercise their franchise (such as, “Jodhpur walks with pride, cast vote without influence”) dot the city more prominently than the ones erected either by the BJP or the Congress. Ashok Gehlot, who is contesting from Sardarpura constituency for the fifth time, is believed to be relaxed as he had secured four consecutive victories since 1999. He is concentrating more on other pockets in the state.
Part of Geholt’s confidence stems from the fact that his Mali (OBC) caste dominates Sardarpura, that has 2,00,140 voters. In Sardarpur, as per the city Congress and BJP leaders, there are about 35000 to 40000 Malis, about 28,000 muslims, about 35,000 SCs and STs; about 20,000 Rajputs and about 8,000 baniyas. Gehlot is pitted against the BJP’s Rajput candidate Sambhu Singh Khetasir.
Gehlot’s nephew Jaswant Kachhwaha, who is also his polling agent, told Deccan Herald that the welfare schemes that Gehlot introduced for the people will ensure his victory. He said that free health schemes, where people get generic medicines and free check ups, and pension for the elderly were major measures. He said Gehlot has brought five institutes, including Ayurved University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, IITs, to the Jodhpur region .
When asked about Narendra Modi’s recent allegation that the Congress government failed to attract investments to boost infrastructure, Kachhwaha said, “Gujarat has been a developed state before BJP came to power but even they don’t have metro (train).
Gehlot sahib has brought metro to Jaipur and also Rs 40,000-crore worth oil refinery which will generate revenue for the state.
Gehlot’s Sardarpura is one of three Assembly segments in the Jodhpur city and except his, two of them were won by BJP barring. Sitting Sursagar BJP MLA Surkanta Vyas, who is contesting again from the constituency against Congress leader Zaifu Kha, said her mantra is development as touted by her party and Narendra Modi. Popularly known as “Jiji” (sister) in the city, Vyas charged that though Gehlot was the chief minister, he restricted the development to his borough Mandour. The elderly BJP candidate claimed that it was she who got the work done from her MLA development fund and raised the issue in the Assembly.
On Gehlot’s tall achievement claims, Vyas said, “The free medicines were like poison being doled out to the people since they are either spurious or adulterated and many times they were not available.”
The south-western region of the state had witnessed close contest last time in 2008, throwing up 16 Congress legislators and 15 of the BJP. Both the national parties’ worries are heightened by rebel and independents threatening to impact about a dozen seats in Jodhpur Nagaur, Barmer and Jaisalmer.