Three states are slated to go in for elections prior to or along with the Lok Sabha 2019 elections, namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajsthan and Chhattisgarh. Out of these three Rajasthan is the one where Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be on the shakiest grounds. Talks of BJP losing the state elections in Rajasthan have been doing the rounds for a long time and the position of BJP is considered to be the weakest in the run-up to 2019. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has done anything and everything possible to bring her cadres in order. She has also carefully tried to do some damage control and has brought out several pro-poor schemes aimed towards the lower classes and farmers. The best example of this would be her ambitious loan waiver scheme which was announced by her in Banswara. It not only covered 29+ lakh farmers but also beat any other loan waiver announced in the past by a huge margin. The total budget for the loan waiver exceeds Rs. 8,400 crores, a huge sum of money. This loan waiver scheme combined with the other policies announced by her are surely going to help the state government and the central in the upcoming elections. The results of the recent by elections conducted in the state suggest that these schemes have worked.
BJP was able to win 13 seats out of the total 27 which were up for grabs in the Rajsthan local body by elections. The by elections were conducted on one seat of zila parishad, 17 seats of panchayat samitis and 9 seats of nagar parishad in 17 districts across the state. BJP was able to win 11 seats of panchayat samitis and two seats of nagar palika in the bypolls. BJP state General Secretary said that the people of Rajasthan have once again showed faith in the party after the poll. BJPs win in the bypolls is a sure shot sign that all hope has not been lost in Rajasthan and it can comfortably win back the trust of the people in the time prior to the elections. However, BJP cannot afford to be complacent and relax after these results. It cannot be called a convincing victory considering BJP holds power in the state. A lot of work needs to be done before BJP can be sure of its victory which can be achieved only after BJP achieves the same recognition and trust it had enjoyed in the earlier days.
The central and state government should take a deeper look at the demands of the state and should take the necessary measures to keep the people of Rajasthan together with the party. Congress has been making inroads in BJP territory in Rajasthan but a quick action by the BJP can help them in the long run. There is still some time left when amends for past mistakes and negligence can be made and things can be sorted out. CM Raje and BJP workers should put in all the efforts necessary to win back the hearts of the people and ensure a victory for the BJP in 2019.