Assembly Elections 2013: Big gainers and big losers

Following is the list of some of the big gainers and big losers in the assembly elections held in five states, in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2014:

Big gainers



Arvind Kejriwal:

Pulls off a stunning debut, trouncing CM Sheila Dikshit and dragging Congress to a record low. Has shocked BJP too, preventing a saffron sweep. Promises a fight in Lok Sabha polls.



Narendra Modi:

Has positioned himself as a clear leader in LS polls, thanks to BJP’s 3-0 score line in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. His party’s painful crawl in Delhi took some sheen off Modi but the momentum is with him.



Vasundhara Raje:

The Gwalior family royal showed a common touch in exploiting a lacklustre administration, caste and community resentments; anger against inflation. Gained from Modi’s appeal.



Raman Singh:

Pulled off a Houdini act in Chhattisgarh, snatching a last gasp win. Managed to hold off incumbency with good governance with schemes like efficient PDS and health insurance.



Shivraj Chouhan:

Shrewdly mixed populist schemes with development . The OBC leader’s candidate selection paid off. Helpled by leadership vacuum in Congress.



Harsh Vardhan:

The Delhi CM’s post is so close to this ENT surgeon, will he make it? Though a late entrant, he came across as a clean candidate, given graft cases against state govt and Centre.


Big losers



Rahul Gandhi:

His ability as a campaigner is under acute scrutiny. In fact, questions are being asked if he’s a liability for Congress. Is now promising aggressive changes. It’s to be seen what these are.



Sheila Dikshit:

Bows out of CM’s office after 15 years. Provided a pretty good government, but done in by high prices, corruption and a searing anger against Congress. Her bad loss to Kejriwal symbolized her party’s rejection by the people.



Ashok Gehlot:

The ‘desert fox’ could not escape the alternate win-loss cycle of Rajasthan, with schemes like free medicines and better pensions not working. Overall anti-Congress sentiment hurt him. The huge margin of defeat is a humiliation.



Jyotiraditya Scindia:

Faced tough odds when he was deputed as campaign in-charge at a late date. Hamstrung by party infighting. His attempt to challenge BJP’s development record as sexed up did not work.