Dry Run

One thing working in his favour consistently is his ‘‘simplicity and clean image’’. Supporters talk of how he does not own a car ‘‘in this day and position’’. The numerous opinion polls seem to hold out his claim too — good drought management, power reforms, firm dealing with striking employees. Gehlot has already won round one this season. Despite a general anti-MLA wave across the state, he has managed to retain most of his old team and ensured that old-timers got tickets. When Congress observers travelled in the different constituencies a couple of months ago, they were besieged by angry party workers who wanted more than 50 per cent of Gehlot’s MLAs out.

But Gehlot stuck to his guns. He was never in favour of changing his men and he ensured that not more than 20 MLAs lost their seats.

His rival chief ministerial candidate Vasundhara Raje has not had much luck though. She continues to battle the old guard that has been hostile ever since she was appointed party president. While the chief minister has had his say in the ticket distribution, Raje has lost out to the stronger RSS influence.

The BJP’s campaign against Gehlot could use some steam too. While the BJP trumps up drought mismanagement and claims most of the relief came from teh Centre, villages across the state believe Gehlot streamlined the operations effectively.

It’s Gehlot’s favourite subject too. He has challenged the Opposition to come up with concrete cases of mismanagement and publicly asked them why their central leadership did not visit the homes of struggling farmers when the drought was at its worst.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister has also been pumping up the power reforms in the state. He dismisses the public resentment over power tariffs but critics say it will play a role in the elections. Similarly, while the people are happy with the way he handled striking employees at the beginning of his tenure, government employees are dead against him.