The gravity of the situation prompted the BJP leadership to deploy teams from Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana. Organisation secretary B.L. Santhosh was rushed to Jaipur and the chief minister was advised to intensify the campaign by visiting divisional and district headquarters and hold road shows in cities. This is probably the first time that a chief minister is campaigning so hard in local body election. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot commented that fear of losing had prompted the BJP to press both party machinery and government resources to campaign for it.
“The chief minister’s extensive campaigning reflects the government’s concern over growing public dissatisfaction. The chief minister is going with folded hands to the people as his government has failed to deliver in the last two-and-a-half years. The condition of roads, poor sanitation and growing slums in the city are all testimony to the failure of the government,” Gehlot said.
Why was the BJP bringing leaders and ministers from Delhi, Mumbai and other states to campaign when it claims it has done enough to form a ‘triple engine government’ in the state, he wondered. Gen Z, he added, had exposed the corruption in the administration and highlighted the discontinuation of welfare initiatives launched during the Congress’ tenure, he claimed.
There are 38,929 candidates in the fray with 18,184 from various OBC communities reflecting the state’s 45 per cent OBC population. While OBCs have reserved seats for both men and women, both BJP and the Congress have fielded OBC candidates from general seats as well, and number-wise, there are twice as many OBC candidates as those from general categories.
The CJP, contrary to expectations on the ground, has kept away from the poll and has not been campaigning for any party. CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka avoided the state and kept himself confined to Delhi. However, the nomination of such a large number of Gen Z candidates by both the BJP and Congress proves that they have made their point, Congress candidate Dilip Saini pointed out.
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