ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by Sanjay LodhaSubscribe to Sanjay Lodha

Moving towards Single-party Dominance in Rajasthan

The recent sweep by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha elections from Rajasthan is located in the wider context of the electoral politics of the state. A party that was voted out of power six months ago is given a clear mandate in the national elections and this interesting trend is the focus of this analysis. Drawing data from the National Election Study survey, the factors and forces that contributed to
the Lok Sabha election results in the state are examined.

Rajasthan: Performance and Campaigning Pay Dividends

The Congress Party's victory in Rajasthan can be attributed to its motivated organisation and electoral canvassing under the leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, a positive evaluation of the central government's performance and factionalism within the Bharatiya Janata Party. The stability of the bipolar electoral system in Rajasthan was reinforced in the 15th Lok Sabha elections.

Rajasthan: Dissatisfaction and a Poor Campaign Defeat BJP

The popular mood in Rajasthan seemed to be that the Vasundhara Raje government deserved a second chance, but dissatisfaction with it on specific issues and a poorly-run campaign saw the Congress squeak ahead. The Congress success came from regaining supremacy in the adivasi belt and a polarisation of women voters in its favour.

Rajasthan : India Shines as BJP Trounces Congress

In Rajasthan, the BJP's domination continued with its twin victories in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. A combination of national and state level factors was responsible for the party's success. While the NDA government's performance at the centre was viewed favourably, the party was also successful in weaning away the support of large sections of adivasis, dalits and OBCs from the opposition chiefly made up of the Congress and other smaller parties. Besides, the organisational support provided by other Sangh parivar bodies considerably assisted the BJP in its victory. For the Congress, the other player that has dominated Rajasthan's two-party electoral system, the defeat conveyed more worrying signals - of its inability to contain factional infighting and also its failure to build up a convincing social cohesion of castes and communities.

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