Caste hold key in Rajasthan

BARMER: Repeat performance of the 2003 poll success for the ruling BJP in Rajasthan's western districts seems far-fetched this time with key factors like delimitation, changing caste equations and voracious dissidents threatening to play spoilsort.

In the last assembly elections in 2003, BJP bagged five seats out of seven in the sand-dune clad desert districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer. However, two more seats have been created in the region after delimitation.

Minister of state for Home, Amraram Choudhary from Pachpadra and Leader of Opposition Hemaram Choudhary on Gudhmalani seat are facing tough contests this time, with caste and delimitation factors dominating the electioneering.

The going for Amraram gets tough as Congress rebel Parasmal Bhandari, with BJP roots, and a BSP candidate Bajrang Paliwal disturbing the caste equations on the seat. Congress' young turk Madan Prajapat is also banking on his caste votes.

Mustering on 'Vishnoi' votes, BJP's Laduram Vishnoi is all set to challenge the leader of Opposition as the Congress leader's jat vote counts decreased this time by over 15000 due to delimitation.

However, what could prove to be in his favour is the recent visit of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to the region that might help him get the muslim votes.

BJP's rebel Gangaram Choudhary can prove to be costly for the saffron party on Barmer city seat where it has fielded a woman candidate Mradurekha Choudhary against Congress' Mevaram Jain.