Spotlight on Shekhawati region over its role in shaping Raj’s political landscape
The Shekhawati region, comprising Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu constituencies, is known to hold a significant political importance in Rajasthan. With only a few days left for the upcoming crucial Lok Sabha elections, the region will be under spotlight again for its pivotal role in shaping the state’s political landscape, according to political experts.
Known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, Shekhawati gains significance as one of the important political battlegrounds, the electoral outcome of which has the potential to change fates of the political parties, believe experts.
With its diverse demographic composition and intricate social fabric, the region often plays a decisive role in shaping the state’s political landscape.
As a microcosm of Rajasthan’s socio-economic complexities, the region reflects the aspirations, concerns, and grievances of its people, making it a crucial barometer of public sentiment. Recognising the region’s role, political leaders have been engaging in extensive outreach, promising development, empowerment, and representation to win the trust of Shekhawati’s electorate. According to the political experts, the region has emerged as a cornerstone in Rajasthan’s political dynamics, where electoral fortunes are forged and the pulse of democracy beats fervently.
In Churu, Congress candidate Rahul Kaswan will be squaring off against Bharatiya Janata Party candidate and Paralympian Devendra Jhajaria. In Sikar, Congress will be fighting in alliance with Communist Party of India ( Marxist), which has fielded ex- MLA Amra Ram against two- time MP and BJP candidate Swami Sumedhanand.In Jhunjhunu, Congress has fielded four-time MLA Brijendra
Ola against BJP’s Shubhkaran Choudhary.
Political analyst Manish Godha said that the farmers’ issues will dominate the elections in Shekhawati region, especially their protest on MSP and canal water.
He said: “The political history of the region is more inclined to the Congress. Besides, the presence of Jats, SC, ST and other minority community have mostly been in favour of the Congress except the last two Lok Sabha elections. The presence of CPI (M) is also an important factor in Sikar and Jhunjhunu.”
Churu
The political arena in Churu has been heating up due to the continuous clash of words between Congress candidate Rahul Kaswan and former leader of the opposition in Rajasthan assembly Rajendra Rathore.
Kaswan has been vocal about Rathore’s “feudal mindset” and his role “in denying him the party ticket”, portraying himself as a victim of injustice.
With BJP turncoat Kaswan taking on Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia, the contest in the seat will be interesting. The Kaswan
family’s influence in Churu adds weight to the BJP’s challenge. Moreover, in the Shekhawati belt, which boasts a significant Jat and SC population, the BJP’s performance in the assembly elections also fell short of expectations. However, the party has been relying on its star campaigner and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who during a rally on April 5, had called the Congress “anti-poor and anti-Dalit”, aiming to sway the sentiment in the BJP’s favour.
With Modi’s rally, the BJP is eyeing the three Lok Sabha seats of Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu, hoping to garner support. Churu has long been a stronghold of the BJP, with the party securing consecutive victories with Kaswan in 2014 and 2019.
This time, the BJP will be depending upon Modi’s reputation and development initiatives, while the Congress will be working to maintain its traditional voter base. Of the eight assembly seats in the district, the Congress holds five, the BJP two, and one is with the BSP.
Jhunjhunu
The Lok Sabha seat was a Congress bastion before 2014, but
since then, it has been held by the BJP. Fielding four-time MLA Brijendra Ola against BJP’s Shubhkaran Choudhary, the Congress hopes to reclaim its former stronghold. Ola’s father, Shish Ram Ola, served as a fivetime MP from the Lok Sabha seat, adding historical significance to his candidacy.
Focusing on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and corruption, the Congress aims to corner the BJP, which relies on Modi’s name, accomplishments, and the Ram Mandir.
The BJP, however, is also facing internal discontent after the sitting MP, Narendra Kumar, was denied a ticket, according to people familiar with the development.The Lok Sabha seat is predominantly inhabited by the Jat community, with a substantial presence of Muslims and Mali. Additionally, the SC and ST communities also hold considerable electoral sway in the area.
Experts are anticipating a direct contest this time, with Ola in the fray. Unlike the pronounced Modi wave of 2014 and 2019, the current political climate seems more influenced by Jat-centric issues, “indicating a potential return to caste-based voting patterns”, said a political expert.
In the 2023 assembly elections, the BJP’s performance in this seat was lacklustre, with the Congress securing victories in six out of eight seats — a trend that has raised concerns for the BJP’s prospects.
Sikar
Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls, the Sikar seat has emerged as a pivotal battleground. Traditionally a stronghold of the Congress, Sikar witnessed a significant shift in 2014 and 2019, favouring the BJP.
However, the Congress remains resolute in its efforts to reclaim the seat, fielding strong candidates and mobilizing grassroots support. With a diverse electorate comprising a mix of rural and urban demographics, Sikar mirrors the broader socioeconomic challenges facing the state. Issues such as agrarian distress, unemployment, and social welfare resonate deeply with the electorate, shaping their voting preferences, according to the political experts.
Sikar is among the three seats that the Congress will fight in alliance with the INDIA bloc. The CPI(M) has fielded former MLA Amra Ram against twotime MP and BJP candidate Swami Sumedhanand. In 2019, the BJP had received over 700,000 votes, whereas the Congress and CPI (M) together had received over 500,000 votes.
Experts believe that if the cent-percent vote of Congress shifts to CPI(M), then the BJP may be in a tough spot. The two major opponents, the Congress and the BJP have been vigorously campaigning , leveraging their respective narratives of development, governance, and identity politics in the area. As the election unfolds, the battle for Sikar promises to be fiercely contested, reflecting not only the aspirations of constituents but also the broader political trends shaping Rajasthan’s future.