There is confusion about the outcome of the Rajasthan elections on December 3, due to conflicting exit poll projections. The assembly election was held in the state recently. Some survey agencies are predicting a Congress victory, while others are showing the BJP as a winner. As a result, leaders of both the Congress and the BJP are keeping their fingers crossed, with bated breath.
There are mixed reactions within both parties following the exit polls. Some members of Congress and BJP are pleased while others are less enthusiastic. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his supporters are hopeful that the Congress will retain power in Rajasthan. The victory of the Congress could be a surprise for some Congress heavyweights of Rajasthan and Delhi who were doubtful about the party’s win from day one.
Meanwhile, supporters and rivals of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are making their own calculations. The exit polls predicting 100 or a little less than 100 seats for BJP have given Raje supporters some hope that in this situation their leader might be given the Chief Minister post. Undoubtedly if BJP had projected Raje its CM face, the situation would have been different. The decision not to project Raje BJP’s CM candidate might have benefitted Congress to some extent. Raje was the only BJP leader to have addressed 53 rallies. Other leaders of the party held a limited number of public meetings. Raje was in great demand. Her supporters who got tickets are confident of victory.
The other faction of the BJP is not that much enthusiastic due to the fact that the exit polls are not predicting a huge victory for BJP as was expected. State BJP president CP Joshi has been claiming that the party would bag over 135 seats. However, the exit polls are not predicting this number for the BJP. The survey agencies, which are predicting the BJP government in Rajasthan, are giving it only 105 to 115 seats. It will be an achievement for the BJP if it gets 120 seats, and then it will be seen as a victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and the success of the polarization politics of the BJP. If BJP ends up getting a little less than 100, then Raje will be in the race for the CM post. It is believed that around 7 to 8 rebel candidates who are Raje’s supporters can win polls. Considering Raje’s claim, the high command will not take any risks. If the BJP wins 120 seats, they may give a chance to a new face. The probable contenders include CP Joshi, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former BJP state president Satish Poonia and MP Diya Kumari.
While talking about the Congress party, Gehlot is the only choice for the Chief Minister post, without any ifs and buts, whether Congress gets 90-92 seats or it goes beyond 130.
As the Rajasthan elections’ outcome remains uncertain amidst conflicting exit polls, both the Congress and BJP exhibit a mix of optimism and concern. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his supporters anticipate a Congress victory, with potential surprises for sceptics within the party. On the BJP side, the absence of a clear projection of Vasundhara Raje as the CM candidate leaves room for speculation, especially if the party falls short of the expected 120 seats. The potential victory or defeat is intricately tied to the performance of key leaders, making the post-election scenario in Rajasthan a subject of keen anticipation and strategic considerations for both political camps.
