Vasundhara Raje's prestige at stake in Baran-Jhalawar constituency

After BJP’s defeat in the Assembly polls, Raje’s prestige is at stake on the home turf. It will be the most severe debacle for her if the Congress succeeds in crumbing her bastion. That is why she is leaving no stones unturned to ensure that luck smiles on her son once again.

Following the saffron party’s defeat in six of the eight seats in the Assembly polls, the Congress party’s stronghold in the Baran region and post delimitation equations have made things difficult for the BJP this time. It is a sort of shadow war in Baran-Jhalawar. Dushyant, though contesting for the second term, is yet to overcome his Mama’s boy image. Compared with his mother’s towering personality, no one talks of his own contribution. 

Congress candidate Pramila Jain has been offered the candidature “on a platter” following her husband Pramod Jain “Bhaya’s” clout in the Baran region. Bhaya, Minister of State, PWD, in the Gehlot ministry, has his own aura in the Baran region. Post-delimitation, the electoral battle here is not between the Congress or the BJP. Its sounding more like a personal contest between “Bhaya ki Maya” and “Raje’s achievements”.

The unequal development of Jhalawar as compared to other regions in this constituency is making it a tough fight. Jhalawar has been an impregnable fortress nurtured by Raje herself during her five consecutive terms as MP followed by five years as chief minister. Jhalawar is the only district headquarters to have a medical college. You name a faculty and you will find a college here — law, engineering, horticulture, forestry, girls, ITI and PG colleges. The Mega highway, shining roads and sprawling mini-secretariat are Raje’s other achievements. Her achievements for Jhalawar, however, are making her defensive during her campaign at Baran for the constituency speaks of a disparity in development. Raje’s daughter-in-law Neeharika is also making hectic campaigning to ensure her husband’s victory. The “yuvrani”,  still uncomfortable with the heat and dust of electioneering,  is doing it as her pious duty.

Dushyant is a graduate from St Stephen’s, Delhi. He holds a PG diploma in hotel operation and an MBA in hotel administration. He has raised the issues of his constituency in Parliament reasonably well, particularly the problems of opium farmers. He has maintained contacts with the electorate. Yet, he has to go a long way in establish his own identity as compared to his mother.

Gurjar votes will be decisive in this constituency. That is why perhaps the BJP has welcomed back expelled Gurjar leader Prahlad Gunjal, who severed ties with the BJP following his foul-mouthing over the Gurjar reservation. While the BJP is claiming a comfortable victory for Dushyant, the Congress candidate’s alleged indulgence in launching a character assassination of Raje doesn’t speak high of the Congress party’s confidence level. The Congress camp, enthused by a highly successful public meeting of Rahul Gandhi in Jhalawar, is sounding rather complacent. It’s no cakewalk for Dushyant, people say. But he will ultimately win, they add.