Farmers Movement Archive

BJP lost farmer support in phase-2 of Rajasthan rural elections

JAIPUR: The panchayat poll results of six districts is set to change the equation of several BJP leaders. The party seems to have lost the confidence of farmers, who had given a thumbs up to farm bills during the first phase of the rural polls held in 21 districts in December 2020. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot was quick to snatch the narrative claiming that the victory was a result of farmers opposed to the three farm laws. The loss in Jaipur and Jodhpur affect the positioning of the two tallest leaders — BJP state president Satish Poonia and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Poonia, who held roadshows and door-to-door campaigning in his assembly segment Amber, got less than half (24) of what Congress secured (51). BJP lost in Jodhpur under Shekhawat bagging 21 wards while Congress got 37 to snatch the board from the BJP. The party leaders defended the results blaming the government for misusing the government machinery. Reiterating the party’s stand, Poonia said, “The Congress doesn’t need to be happy over the results and overall mandate has gone against them. BJP along with the Independents secured more seats than the ruling party.” Former CM Vasundhara Raje congratulated the party workers and said: “BJP needs to work harder and we will do it together.” Congress retained its board in Sawai Madhopur and Dausa while BJP has clear numbers in Sirohi. In Bharatpur, it emerged as the single largest party. The independents play a decisive role in the formation of the board.

The Times of India

2021-09-06

Jaipur