Rahul Gandhi Hands-up In This State?

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been noticeably less active in his campaigning for the upcoming Rajasthan elections, with his last visit to the state occurring on September 23. This shift in his campaign efforts is seen by some as a reflection of displeasure within the party leadership due to the defiance of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s loyalists in a recent incident. Furthermore, there are predictions by pollsters that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may take power in Rajasthan in the upcoming elections, which may also be influencing campaign strategies.

The rift between the Congress high command and Ashok Gehlot dates back to his loyalists’ actions, defying party directives in a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in September of the previous year. This incident strained the relationship between the Gandhis and Gehlot, who had previously been considered a staunch loyalist of the Congress party. Despite some disciplinary recommendations made by central observers, the rift between Gehlot and the party leadership persisted, possibly impacting campaign dynamics.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul’s sister, has been more active in addressing rallies in Rajasthan, and it is suggested that Rahul Gandhi may focus on the state after Diwali, as elections in other states will have concluded by then. While the BJP is predicted to win in Rajasthan, it might not be as comprehensive a victory as in 2013. The Congress party’s calculations regarding the political landscape in Rajasthan seem to have faced some challenges, including the shifting dynamics within the party and the state’s electoral landscape.