Rajasthan

The comeback of Congress in Rajasthan

Congress was announced as the winner of assembly elections in Rajasthan on 8th December, 2008. They have been waiting for this victory since 2003. In this battle, Ashok Gehlot emerges as the strongest candidate for the chief minister's post. Specially given that his rivals have been jolted out of their seats.

Like CP Joshi, the state party president, who lost from Nathadwara by just one vote, or Harinder Mirdha, an important Jat leader, defeated in Nagore.

The entire focus was on BJP's leader Vasundharaje Scindia, who was supposed to be the strongest for her and her style of functioning. Since her sweeping victory in 2003, she became the BJP's main commandant in Rajasthan. The entire election campaign built around her personality -strong, flamboyant, but also described as autocratic.

In fact, part of the BJP defeat was scripted during ticket distribution, when she was accused of alienating senior leaders within the party. The fight within the party members was the large part of its defeat. In eastern Rajasthan where it is set to change the political equation, the BSP made its presence strongly felt.