Rajasthan BJP chief C P Joshi faces a formidable contest in the Chittorgarh Lok Sabha seat, which he won in the last two elections. However, this time, both the Rajput community and opium farmers are angry with the party, posing a significant challenge.
Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh districts in Rajasthan, along with Neemuch and Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, account for 90% of opium farming in India. Both opium-producing districts in Rajasthan fall under the Chittorgarh Lok Sabha seat, which votes on April 26.
Last year, opium farmers held protests over three months, expressing anger over low government prices. Notably, around 30% of these farmers in Rajasthan are Rajputs, adding to the grumblings within the community over the BJP’s treatment of its members. They cite the sidelining of a candidate in the 2023 Assembly polls and controversial remarks by a BJP candidate in Gujarat about Rajputs, which sparked mass protests.
Mangilal Meghwal, coordinator of Bharatiya Afeem Vikas Kisan Samiti, asserts that farmers’ patience with the Central government has run out. He alleges that the BJP has reduced opium to a mere harvest for electoral gains.
Congress candidate Udai Lal Anajana has aggressively raised the issue, including posting videos of opium farmers’ distress. Joshi has been trying to assuage the farmers and Rajputs, seeking support from community leaders such as Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Joshi is also counting on the popularity of Modi government schemes and the BJP’s victory in six of the eight assembly segments under the Chittorgarh seat in the 2023 Assembly polls.
In an interview, Joshi attributed the low voter turnout in Phase 1 of the Rajasthan polls to the Congress’s lack of leadership and infighting. He dismissed the notion that the BJP’s use of Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate to exert pressure has caused resentment, arguing that the actions are justified against corrupt politicians.
Regarding the perception of anger among communities like Rajputs, Jats, and Meenas towards the BJP, Joshi maintained that the party recognizes only four castes: the poor, women, farmers, and youths. He expressed confidence in their support, citing the BJP’s track record of effective policies.
Joshi addressed the Prime Minister’s statement that the Congress would distribute wealth to infiltrators and those with more children, accusing the Opposition of communal polarization. He asserted that the BJP believes in equal rights for all citizens and condemned the Congress’s alleged divisive politics.
Despite the Congress’s alliance with regional parties in certain constituencies, Joshi expressed confidence in the BJP’s ability to win all 25 seats in Rajasthan. He dismissed the Opposition’s claims that his focus on statewide campaigning has neglected his own constituency, highlighting the support and positive feedback he has received from local residents.
