Jaipur:

The upcoming Rajasthan state elections in the northwestern part of India might prove to be a difficult challenge for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its traditional voter base — Brahmins and Rajputs — are highly miffed with the hardline nationalist party.

The electoral battleground is set for Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, known as a strong political leader in her party, to win over Rajputs and Brahmins after a string of unfulfilled promises and disagreeable actions during her tenure left them disappointed.

Speculations suggest that the December 7 elections for the 200-seat Assembly might see both the communities supporting other parties as Rajput leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh recently joined Congress and disgruntled Brahmin leader Ghanshyam Tiwari quit BJP to organise a 'Third front' by the name of Bharat Vahini in collaboration with Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal and his newly-launched Rashtriya Loktantrik Party.

Brahmins feel cheated

In the highly caste-ridden society of the state, Jats form the majority vote bank, followed by Rajputs and Brahmins — which means any party with a sway over two communities can clinch more seats. In the previous election, as many as 27 Rajput MLAs won the seats, constituting to about 13 percent representation and 16 Brahmin MLAs won the seats, constituting 8 percent of total seats. The state population currently includes around 6-8 percent Rajputs and 7-8 percent Brahmins.

The Brahmin community, considered an “upper caste” in India, has been asking for reservation to support the economically-backward Brahmin families in the state — an unfulfilled promise which made its way into the 2013 BJP election manifesto. “They promised us an 'upper caste' reservation multiple times. But, instead of discussing this with us, BJP leaders kept saying that a certain commission has been formed and its report is yet to come out. Even government officials from the Brahmin community were not given deserving posts in the previous tenure and the community members were not given the due respect,” said Suresh Mishra, president of the Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha, an organisation with about five lakh members in the state.

In the last three years, several temples across the state were damaged while carrying out 'smart-city' project infuriating and alienating the community further. Around 100 temples were reportedly demolished in the state capital Jaipur itself to facilitate metro construction and some of these structures were claimed to be around two centuries old. This led to protests across the city by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — the ideological parent of BJP.

“About 200 temples in Jaipur have been broken during the past two tenures of BJP. Overall, at least 500 temples have been demolished in Rajasthan. This has led to a decrease in the income of several people from the community. Moreover, Brahmins do not have the management control over the temples still in place. We have about 70 lakh Brahmins in Rajasthan and everyone has decided not to vote for BJP,” Mishra claimed.

Mishra, who has been vocal about his disdain for the saffron party, said the BJP-led government has not done anything significant to assure the Brahmin community that the party cares for them. “During both the terms led by Raje, there have been several instances of lathicharge (baton charge) on Brahmins. We have been charged with unnecessary court cases and this has angered the Brahmin community,” Mishra said  

Several big names in the state unit of BJP like Ghanshyam Tiwari, Harishankar Bawda and Lalit Chaturvedi, belonging to Brahmin community, were allegedly sidelined. “People from the community are inclined towards Congress and not Tiwari since they do not see him winning the elections this time,” Mishra added.

No response to their issues, claim Rajputs

While the Brahmin coterie is dismayed over alleged inaction and lesser social affluence in the party, the Rajput community holds BJP responsible for its non-responsive behaviour during the Padmaavat film protests and Anandpal alleged encounter issue, in addition to the various comments from within the BJP regarding non-requirement of Rajput votes.

One of the most wanted gangsters in the state, Anandpal Singh was celebrated among Rajputs for having created employment opportunities for them. In 2017, he was gunned down by three policemen in Rajasthan, thereby leading to massive agitation by the Rajput community, who claimed that he wanted to surrender and the police had allegedly faked the encounter.

“We believed that BJP is our party, we have built and supported it. But, we did not receive the due support when it was required: be it the Padmaavat protests or the Anandpal case. We demanded a CBI inquiry into the Anandpal fake encounter and instead, the agency filed FIRs against nearly 12,000 Rajput youngsters. This has affected Rajput families and the message for the same will be seen during elections,” said Mahipal Singh Makrana, national president of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena.

Makrana also added that actions against Diya Kumari, member of the erstwhile royal family, by Jaipur Development Authority, has also added to the fire against the current government. According to reports, Rajmahal Palace Hotel, owned by the erstwhile royal family, was sealed by Jaipur Development Authority during an anti-encroachment drive.

“The anger cannot be extinguished unless the leadership of the state is changed. We have made a core committee of 30 members which will compare the lists and manifestos of the parties. We will then check which party is ready to fulfill our demands and support accordingly,” Makrana added.

Chetan Singh Sankhla, Kota district head of the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha, stated that BJP has time and again told Rajputs that it does not need their support. This has further reduced the community's will to support the saffron party.

BJP, however, does not believe that its traditional voter base has deserted the party. “Our party does not consider any community or caste as a vote bank. We have supporters and contributors from all across the state which include Rajputs and Brahmins. We have worked for all castes and communities during the last five years. Nothing has been done for ‘saving the vote bank’,” said Mukesh Pareek, Rajasthan BJP spokesperson.

Political experts believe there is a specific reason why Brahmins and Rajputs hold an important position in Rajasthan. “The two communities are acceptable to the society here because for centuries Rajputs were ruling," said Narayan Bareth, a political analyst and veteran scribe, adding that Brahmins enjoy a reputation of being flexible and accommodating. "During the freedom struggle, Brahmins helped several Dalits and SC/STs to come out of untouchability. They help in building a good atmosphere and are heard positively. This is why votes from Brahmins and Rajputs are important for any party as they can win from any part of the state while Jats cannot,” Bareth added.