4-phase voting, extending tenure of state chief helped in MP. In Rajasthan, inexperienced CM, replacement of state chief & sidelining of senior leaders worked against BJP, say leaders.
In revolt over being denied a ticket, two-time MP Rahul Kaswan has switched over to the Congress to contest the election, breaking his family’s long association with the BJP.
In Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar & Karnataka, discontent is brewing in BJP over ticket distribution. Party has announced candidates for 407 LS seats & dropped 103 sitting MPs so far.
BJP calls transfers ‘routine process’ but some feel CM is 'under pressure' to perform, build his team. CMO has asked for list of all transfers in past 3 months to apprise PMO, it is learnt.
17 new faces in Bhajanlal's council of ministers, including former MPs Rajyavardhan Rathore and Kirodi Lal Meena. Baba Balaknath, who was said to be CM contender, conspicuously missing.
In Rajasthan, unlike in Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, BJP is campaigning on Hindutva issue more aggressively. To counter this, Congress is spending on cow welfare & temple development.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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