Jodhpur, Nov 25: Facing not only an aggressive BJP campaign but also the anger of state employees, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot may have to contend with a lesser margin of victory this time in Sardarpura constituency here, than the lead of about 50,000 votes he secured in bye-election. Once a campaigner of Gehlot in his home town, Mahesh Gehlot, in the fray as a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) nominee, is also making a dent in the Chief Minister's secure caste votes of Mali (gardener) community.
Although Gehlot is likely to sail through with lesser margin but his close confidant and sitting Congress MLA Jugal Kabra is in grave difficulty in neighbouring Jodhpur city constituency in the face of division of Muslim votes and adverse caste combinations.
Gehlot's brother Agrasen, his wife Sunita and son Vaibhav are leading determined Congress campaigners to keep about 35,000 Mali votes in their fold being targeted by the NCP candidate from the same community who rebelled to defeat Congress candidate in last municipal elections and now challenging the Chief Minister himself.
Bureau Report