After the resolution of the Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot issue, the Congress has announced a jumbo executive for Rajasthan, which is scheduled for polls four months from now. In the recent expansion, 48 general secretaries, 21 vice presidents, and 121 secretaries have been appointed. Additionally, 25 District Presidents have been assigned through an order issued by Congress Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal.
The appointment of 85 secretaries, put on hold in June due to the Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot tussle, has been included in the fresh list of 121 names. Reports suggest that more appointments can be expected in the state executive in the near future. The high command has made efforts to create a political balance by including leaders and MLAs from the Pilot camp, as well as supporters of CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara in the executive committee.
The Congress is now focused on winning the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023 and plans to announce the screening committee by the end of this month. Candidates will be given tickets two months before the elections to strategize and campaign effectively in their respective areas. It is expected that the party will finalize candidate names for over 90 to 100 seats by mid-September.
Internal surveys conducted by the Congress party indicate a challenging scenario in the Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023, with projections suggesting that the party may not exceed 50 seats out of the 99 won in the previous elections. Anti-incumbency appears to be a significant factor, with a large number of sitting MLAs facing discontent among voters. The survey highlights 52 seats where the Congress party has faced continuous defeat for 15 years and 41 seats where it has lost for 10 consecutive years. To counter this, the party plans to introduce new faces in these constituencies.
According to a report the BJP has conducted its own internal survey, projecting victory in 150-160 seats, while the Congress is expected to secure only 30-40 seats. The BJP and RSS have both conducted ground-level assessments to gauge the political landscape in preparation for the Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023.
The Congress aims to prioritize seats where disputes are minimal and senior leaders have a strong presence. This strategic approach has yielded positive results in previous elections, giving the party an initial advantage. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been actively announcing welfare initiatives to appeal to the public, highlighting the “Jan Samman Video Contest” and various schemes implemented by the Rajasthan government.
As part of the party’s strategy, the BJP has also devised plans to counter the Congress government’s social welfare programs. Issues such as corruption, inadequate law and order, and alleged appeasement politics will be emphasized during the campaign. This was decided during the two-day BJP Chintan Baithak held in Sawai Madhopur
The recent meeting between former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena holds significance in the political landscape. The meeting, not planned in advance, lasted for over two hours and took place in Meena’s stronghold of Sawai Madhopur. Speculations arise from this meeting, as Raje seeks Meena’s support for her chief ministerial aspirations, while Meena may rely on Raje’s assistance to safeguard his stronghold in eastern Rajasthan.
As the Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023 approach, political parties gear up for an intense battle. The Congress and BJP are determined to secure victory and shape the state’s future governance. Candidates will be finalized, manifestos unveiled, and campaigns intensified in the coming months. The election results will determine the course of Rajasthan’s political landscape for years to come.