Caste dictates BJP preferences

Caste factor has always been the cornerstone of Rajasthan politics and it no different this time either. BJP or Congress both are taking care of this factor in detail before the poll battle.

Caste factor has always been the cornerstone of Rajasthan politics and it no different this time either. BJP or Congress both take care of this factor to minutest details before going for any political battle in the state.

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BJP, this time, has taken lead in deliberating over its possible candidates. But the passing criteria is set to be the caste factor.

Former State party chief Ramdas Agrawal concedes that it was the basic consideration in the allotment of tickets.

However, the party wants to wait for announcement of Congress candidates and decide upon its nominees after studying the seat's caste configuration.

The State unit leaders, along with BJP national general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, K N Govindacharya, have yet to make up their mind.

According to party sources, there was a tussle between Shekhawat and others over many seats, apart from the tussle between different groups.

Shekhawat wanted to wait for the Congress list before finalising names for some of the seats, hoping to win over any disappointed Congress leader and field him on a BJP ticket. There were also those who had been loyal to him who had to be given tickets, and this had been accepted.

Much is at stake for the party in these elections. State BJP leaders, however, claim that since last month, their surveys have predicted a majority for the BJP. In the Lok Sabha, similar surveys and estimates had given them all 25 seats.