The BJP is looking to win 24 seats in Rajasthan.

Congress’ win in Rajasthan was said to be an indicator of things to come in the general elections. Of the 199 seats in the Rajasthan assembly Congress won 99 while BJP managed 73. After days of deliberations, Congress appointed veteran leader Ashok Gehlot as its chief minister and Sachin Pilot his deputy. But slogans like “Modi tujhse bair nahi, Raje teri khair nahi” had indicated otherwise, of a severe anti-incumbency against BJP’s Vasundhara Raje government but were still in support for Modi as the Prime Minister.

Illustration by Rahul Awasthi

Congress capitalised on the rural anger but might fail to capitalise on the parliamentary level. In 2014, BJP did a clean sweep in Rajasthan after it won all the 25 seats, from four seats in 2009. Congress was wiped in a repeat of the 1989 elections when the Congress had once failed to open an account. The saffron party might not do as well as the last time, but popularity of Modi still seems to hold some sway.