Stunned by bypolls defeat, BJP gets into poll mode. But Congress seems to be back to slumber after victories
Fifty three days ago, when Congress won all the three by-elections, it seemed as if the grand old party will capture the entire ‘pollscape’. The ruling BJP looked dejected, shocked and clueless.
So much so that Congress leaders started the countdown for the government with over 240 days to go. They looked scampering for some reason to huddle and gather steam. Just then, at the onset of March, BJP stormed into power in the unchartered territory of North-Eastern states wresting Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. A phenomenon that happened 3,000 kms away from Rajasthan reignited excitement and there was new-found enthusiasm in the party.
A precursor to the much-needed zeal in the party cadre to douse the premature celebrations of Congress. Since then, in just 17 days, there is a complete turnaround in the political scene. BJP looks rejuvenated and Congress looks jaded. At a time when Congress, being the challenger should have been aggressive, it’s BJP which is firing all the cylinders. Congress is sitting pretty in the pavilion making just a statement or two – “The public will teach a lesson to BJP in the polls”. The cleaning up of Congress in the Rajya Sabha has just added zing to the growing enthusiasm in the ruling party.
On the other hand, BJP is reaching out to the people, taking feedback from party workers, getting rebel ‘Strongmen’ back and planning a strategy to win back the trust of the public. And it’s paying off well. The crowd which had of late thinned in BJP rallies have started swarming again. Raje’s public meeting at Dausa on Friday, along with newly-inducted ‘rebel’ Kirori Lal Meena, received overwhelming response with a sea of people gathered to listen to Raje and Meena. Raje’s Saturday meeting in the home borough of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also created an impact in the mind space of people. Unlike her previous Jodhpur visits, this was different with people swarming from all over to catch a glimpse of her. BJP’s aggressive moves coupled by inaction of Congress are making things easier for the ruling party. The chief minister has mandated all the ministers and senior leaders to visit
‘Ground Zero’. BJP has the itinerary in place.
“The party is charged up. Bypoll results were a bitter lesson for us. Now, the party is geared up to take on the challenge. We will definitely make a comeback,” said a senior BJP leader.
GAINING GROUND
- Starting early, BJP had romped back home
- In the 2013 elections when BJP was the challenger, Raje started reaching out to the public through her Suraj Sankalp Yatra from April – well ahead of the elections
- BJP came back with a record win bulldozing the Congress away
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Vasundhara Raje")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}