After Maharashtra's Mahayuti Government, BJP Rajasthan Also Says: Congress Narrative of Altering Constitution Caused Defeat

Jaipur- Following a significant blow in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has initiated a thorough review to analyze the reasons behind the losses.

On Saturday, discussions were held regarding the factors leading to the party's defeat in seven key constituencies, as well as the overall electoral climate. The meeting saw the presence of national and state officials, including Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

The review on the first day focused on the Lok Sabha constituencies of Dausa, Sikar, Barmer, Nagaur, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Tonk-Sawai Madhopur. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was joined by state president C.P. Joshi, national co-organization secretary V. Satish, Lok Sabha election in-charge Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, and state co-in-charge Vijaya Rahatkar.

Additionally, Lok Sabha candidates, district officials, and other party functionaries submitted detailed reports on the reasons for their respective losses.

In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had achieved a clean sweep in Rajasthan, leading to heightened expectations for a hat-trick in the recent elections. However, the party faced an unexpected setback, losing 11 seats—8 to the Congress and 3 to its allies.

While the discussions and constituency-specific reports have been kept confidential, several reasons have emerged in the media.

One of the primary reasons cited is the confusion spread by opposition parties regarding the alleged changes to the Constitution proposed by the BJP if they were to secure over 400 seats.

This narrative, which suggested that the BJP intended to alter the Constitution fundamentally, was not only a concern in Rajasthan but also a key factor identified in Maharashtra's Mahayuti government review last week. This widespread narrative caused significant harm to the BJP's campaign.

Other significant factors identified include:

• The election becoming heavily caste-based as campaigning intensified.

• Dominance of local and caste-specific issues over national issues.

• Overconfidence among BJP workers.

• Local issues and anti-incumbency sentiment against sitting MPs.

• Infighting and factionalism within the party.

• Former MPs who were denied tickets did not participate in the campaign.

• Senior leaders' arrogance and failure to reconcile with independent candidates.

• No effective plan to appease disgruntled members.

• Demotivation among party workers due to the inclusion of Congress leaders in BJP.

The review process is ongoing, with further meetings scheduled for Sunday to analyze the remaining constituencies where the party faced defeat. All candidates and officials from these constituencies have been instructed to arrive in Jaipur with comprehensive reports.

Following the completion of this review, a detailed report will be compiled and submitted to the central leadership. The party aims to address the identified shortcomings and implement corrective measures to strengthen its position in future elections.

Statements from Congress Leaders

During their campaign rallies, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, repeatedly claimed that the BJP was planning to change the Constitution if it came to power.

At a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district, Rahul Gandhi held a copy of the Constitution and stated, "The poor, STs, OBCs got several rights because of the Constitution which also gave the people MGNREGA, land rights, reservation, and other things. If the BJP comes to power, it will throw away and tear apart this Constitution."

He also accused the BJP government of targeting reservation policies, questioning why the ruling dispensation was privatizing PSUs, the Railways, and other sectors if it was not against reservation.

"The prime minister Narendra Modi, Union Home MinisterAmit Shah , and their MPs have made up their mind that if they get elected, they will tear apart and throw this [Constitution] book. The BJP wants this book to be thrown away and 20-25 billionaires should run the country," he had said.