Can BJP complete its third encore or will Congress end its 10-year dry run in Rajasthan?

Rajasthan Lok Sabha Polls

Can the Bharatiya Janata Party complete its third encore in Rajasthan? Or will the Congress end its 10-year dry run? Historically, the state has seen a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP and the NDA led by it, respectively, won all the 25 seats in Rajasthan.

The BJP's landslide victory in Rajasthan in 2019 had surprised the political analysts as the trend was contrary to the common belief that mandate comes in favour of the ruling party in the state. The state saw several pitched battles in various constituencies.

This year, the state witnessed a high voltage election campaign by both BJP and Congress. The saffron primarily campaigning in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a stable government and national security, and the Congress highlighted local issues and failures of the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre.

However, during the campaign, the Congress’s uncertainty about Rajasthan was also reflected in the fact that none of its top leaders – Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka – held a rally in the state in the second phase. In the first phase though, Sonia Gandhi also made an appearance; for her only rally in the Lok Sabha elections so far.

Here are the key seats to watch out for:

Ajmer: Ajmer is set to witness a dynamic contest between the saffron party's Bhagirath Chaudhary and Congress's Ram Chandra Choudhary. Both the leaders pitted against each other come from the dominant Jat community.

Kota: In Kota, the BJP's Om Birla is set to lock horns with Congress candidate Prahlad Gunjal. Birla, a two-time MLA and current MP since 2014, will take on Gunjal, a fiery, outspoken leader who switched sides from the saffron party to Congress to secure his third term in the lower house.

Bikaner: In Bikaner, there will be a tough contest between the BJP and the Congress. On the one hand, the saffron party has fielded Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, while on the other hand, the grand old party has gone with Madan Gopal Meghwal.

Banswara: As far as Banswara is concerned, the saffron party’s Mahendra Jeet Malviya will be up against BAP's Rajkumar Roat and Congress's Arvind Damor, whose refusal to withdraw his nomination despite orders from the party marks an embarrassment for the grand old party.

Barmer: In Barmer, the BJP has pitted Union Minister Kailash Choudhary against independent Ravindra Bhati. Congress's Ummeda Ram Beniwal also has his eyes set on the seat.

Jodhpur: The Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency will witness a crucial battle in the Lok Sabha elections. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat eyes re-election against Congress's Karan Singh Uchiyarda.