What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: As the state assembly elections in Rajasthan draw near, The New Indian team conducted on-ground interviews in Jaipur, where voters expressed their strong inclination to re-elect the current Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot.
Breaking away from the typical pattern of alternating power between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) every five years, voters in Jaipur have shown a remarkable interest in continuing with the current Chief Minister, often referred to as “jaadugar” (magician) due to his political prowess. Local businessperson Tara Ram echoed this sentiment, voicing his strong support for Ashok Gehlot.
The New Indian team collects Jaipur’s opinion on #RajasthanElections2023
Public sentiment leans toward CM Ashok Gehlot as a local, Tara Ram exclaims “Jadugar hi aane waala hai! Puri duniya janti hai.”
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/Km4zIT83lm…
Ground Report by @SubhadraSrivas5 and… pic.twitter.com/xzXGdtFzwp
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 2, 2023
“Kuch bhi ho jaye iss baar toh jaadugar (Ashok Gehlot) hi aayenge (No matter what happens, our magician will return to power). He has a knack for pulling off unexpected victories, much like a magician revealing a rabbit from a hat,” said Ram, donned in a traditional all-white Rajasthani kurta.
However, some voters did not mince words when expressing their preferences. Govardhan Meena, a mobile tripod seller at Amber Fort, urged the public not to cast a single vote for the BJP. “The BJP should not receive even a single vote. The wind is blowing in favour of Congress this time. The BJP has done very little for us,” he emphasised.
The New Indian team collects Jaipur’s opinion on #RajasthanElections2023
“BJP should not receive any votes. Prime Minister Modi has not done any work for our betterment. Nobody should vote for them.”
Govardhan Meena shares his views on why Congress should win and the BJP… pic.twitter.com/IxvTG4n1cU
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 2, 2023
When asked about the potential benefits of a BJP government forming a ‘double engine sarkaar’ to boost the state’s development, Meena dismissed the notion, accusing the Modi government of attaining power through deceit.
“Kahe ki double engine ki sarkaar? (What double engine sarkaar are you talking about?) There is no double-engine government; he came to power by tampering with EVM votes. If he were to go back to the ballot paper, he would lose all his seats,” Meena argued.
On the other hand, support for the Congress government in Rajasthan remained strong among female voters. Two homemakers from Doodni village expressed their intention to vote for the ‘open palm’ once again.
Sukhi Devi, 68, cited the benefits the Congress had provided, such as pensions, affordable healthcare, and ration distribution, as her reasons for supporting the party.
CONGRESS TO RETAIN POWER IN RAJASTHAN AGAIN?
The New Indian team went on ground to Jaipur to understand and gauge the election fever in the city. From calls for Ashok Gehlot’s return to disparaging remarks against the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre, a section… pic.twitter.com/Pc4FM1D6JW
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 2, 2023
Her daughter-in-law, Naino Devi, 35, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the help they had received from Gehlot government. “Ashok Gehlot has done so much for us that it is only fitting that we vote for him. I will certainly vote in favour of the ‘panja’ (hand),” she stated.
Even on the periphery of the city, Mohammed Nayeb, a 26-year-old software engineer, believed that Congress was poised for victory. He noted the BJP’s reluctance to announce a chief ministerial candidate and said, “It is evident that the BJP is apprehensive of Congress since they have not yet named a CM candidate. If they had the courage, they would have revealed the CM’s face by now. It is clear that Congress will win.”
While these statements may reflect public sentiment, the final results will only be known on election day. The polling for Rajasthan’s assembly elections is scheduled to commence on December 3.
Note: This article is based on interviews and reflects the views of individuals at the time of the interviews. Election outcomes may vary.
