Jaipur: The bypolls in Ajmer, Alwar Lok Sabha and Mandalgadh Assembly constituencies in Rajasthan may decide the political future of Chief Minister Vasudhara Raje and Congress state president Sachin Pilot.
With state scheduled for Assembly elections later this year, the results of these by-elections will be keenly watched.
Ajmer is the home constituency of Pilot. He lost the seat in 2014 to former Union minister, Late Sanwar Lal Jat.
This time though, the party had given the ticket to fomer MLA Ragu Sharma. However, while Sharma is the face of the campaign, Pilot's reputation is at stake.
Similarly, Raje also faces the same problem as any defeat would reflect on her government. Moreover, Rajput organisations have announced to support congress candidates as they are unhappy with the Raje government over Gangster Anandpal and other issues.
Raje has given ticket to Ram Swroop Lamba, son of Jat, hoping he will win due to sympathy for his father's demise.
In Alwar Lok Sabha seat, state labour minister Jaswant Yadav is contesting against Congress’ Karn Singh Yadav.
Alwar is the home constituency of former Union minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh who is also a popular face in state Congress. However, he was unwilling to fight the by-election so recommended Karn to the party instead.
In Ajmer, BJP's combination of Jat, Rawat, Rajput, upper cast voters and Ajmer City voters, which won them the election in 2014, is fraying, causing concerns to the party. The party will find it hard in Alwar as well, with both parties selecting candidates from dominant Yadav community.
There have been attempts to communally polarise the contest with BJP candidate in Alwar, Jaswant Yadav appeal to voters that if they are Hindu then cast vote for BJP because BJP is Hindu party. Alwar has also been on the boil due the activities of cow vigilantes. Last year, cow vigilants lynched Pehlu Khan, accusing him of being a cow smuggler. Later, they killed two Meo Muslim for the same reason.
However, Congress is trying to hit BJP government over their 'failure to provide adequate jobs' for youths and on the farm loan waiver issue.
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