FIGHTING CHANCE

A united Congress eyes a few seats, hoping to exploit divisions within the BJP and discontent against its new government

- SHARAT PRADHAN

DESPITE HIS BEST efforts, Ashok Gehlot failed to retain power in the 2023 assembly elections in Rajasthan. Contrary to the popular belief that the former chief minister's welfare schemes and freebies would bring rich dividends, the Congress lost badly to the BJP.

The infighting in the Congress between Gehlot and his arch rival Sachin Pilot added to the party's woes. But with Gehlot and Pilot deciding to bury the hatchet for the time being, the Congress's fortunes could improve in the Lok Sabha polls. "The Congress has a chance of doing very well in at least eight of 25 seats in the state," said senior journalist Anil Sharma.

Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said the INDIA bloc would give the BJP a run for its money in Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Tonk, Bharatpur, Dausa, Jaipur (Rural) and Nagaur. The selection of candidates in these seats could make a difference. For instance, in Churu, the Congress candidate is Rahul Kaswan, the sitting MP, who crossed over from the BJP. In Nagaur, the INDIA bloc has fielded Hanuman Beniwal of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, a strong Jat leader who had won from here in alliance with the BJP in 2019.