Rajasthan Assembly elections: Anti-incumbency does it for Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR: In the end, the avalanche of anti-incumbency won over Ashok Gehlot’s much-delayed efforts at promoting a pro-welfare image of his otherwise lackluster term at the helm.

Congress’ worst ever performance also reflects on the limitations of its ‘master tactician’ and election campaign chief CP Joshi. Parachuting in Joshi in the ninth hour was seen as the the party’s reliance on caste arithmetic and organisational skills of a man who got Congress its previous assembly election victory.

On his part, the Jodhpur strongman also played his cards against the BJP by backing former BJP rebel and Meena patriarch, Kirori Lal Meena.

However, despite affecting a massive makeover of the caste leader as a pan-Rajasthan mass politician, the limited reach of Meena bared itself. Idea of hard-selling welfare schemes may have got the Congress some traction, but Gehlot’s own ministers’ track records proved to be the opposition’s most effective weapon.