What to Expect if BJP Comes in Power in Rajasthan Election 2023

Rajasthan has been a state with three-decades-old tradition of not re-electing a government. In the last five years there has been a lot of issues within congress ranging from rebellion of their 22 MLA’s to widespread public protests against “Right to health bill”, “Rajasthan child marriage bill” etc. Slogans like “Gehlot tujhse bair nahi, mantri / vidhayak teri khair nahi” had been going viral but the congress has repeated almost all its sitting MLA’s. The state has witnessed a lot of dissent and chaos under congress and thus a lot of people have been eyeing towards BJP- will come in Power and if it does then what can one expect in Rajasthan. Following are some of things one can expect from BJP –

1. Governance- As many sitting MP’s are contesting elections and they all represent strong leadership. So it is expected that there would be a significant change in governance with strong support from the centre but how this will play out with the old guard needs to be seen.
2. Women safety– As per national crime records bureau report 2019, Rajasthan stood 2^nd in crimes against women. For 3^rd consecutive year, it tops when it comes to rape and attempt to rape cases. There has been a 11% increase in crimes against women from 2018-2019 and over 1 Lakh cases have been registered over last 4 years!

   For BJP women empowerment is not just a political issue but an idea that is intrinsic to its work culture. It has taken numerous steps in that direction ranging from PM Matru Vandana Yojana, Ujjawala Yojana, Swadhar Greh, Mahila Shakti centers, Beti Bacho Beti Padhao to women reservation bill which aims to reserve one – third of the seats for women in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislative assemblies. In fact, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was the first bill it proposed in the new parliament. BJP has also been raising the issues of increasing crimes against women in Rajasthan.

   Recently BJP national spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Gehlot government backs rapists and criminals. Thus, if BJP comes in power in Rajasthan one can expect it to improve the law and order condition with respect to women safety and implement schemes for women empowerment.

3. Unemployment and paper leaks– There is a lot of frustration among the youth with respect to the rising unemployment rate and paper leaks. As per the state government, Paper leaks resulted in the cancellation of eight exams administered by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) between 2019 and 2022. As a result, at least 15 FIRs regarding paper leaks were filed. During the same period, 160 more FIRs were filed for cases of cheating. According to the recent statistics released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) in march 2023, Rajasthan stands at 2^nd position with 5% unemployment rate. BJP has been actively campaigning on this issue of unemployment and corruption in the recruitment process. One can expect it to implement schemes and labour laws for the benefit of the youth and for creation job opportunities across service sector (I.T, research and development, health care, start –ups etc.)
4. Protection of Temples and Reduced communalism– The congress so far has been indulging in appeasement politics at the cost of law and order. From causing cracks in the Chittorgarh fort due to heavy mining activities in its proximity to bulldozing a 300-year-old Shiv temple in the name of development. It has been resorting to vote bank politics to such a degree that no festival can be celebrated be it Ram Navmi or Gangaur without being disrupted by stone pelting. PM Narendra Modi also reiterated this in his rally so one can expect that BJP would better protect national heritage monuments in Rajasthan and, actions like- stone pelting /imposition of section 144 during Hindu festivals would not take place rather such festivals would be better facilitated.
5. Welfare policies- The Congress has been raising the spectre of a BJP government stopping welfare schemes. PM Modi, at a Chittorgarh rally last month, said, “I assure Rajasthan that if the BJP wins, it won’t stop any scheme that Gehlotji’s government has started, but will try to improve them. And this is Modi’s guarantee, which means guarantee that every promise will be fulfilled.” It is highly likely that BJP would include relief measures for government employees to address wage disparities and schemes for the unorganised sector workers etc. However, freebies are likely not to be promoted. Further, with regard to government employees old pension scheme, which is financially unviable, BJP government is more likely to come up with an alternate modified pension scheme within the CPF scheme.
6. Security Threats- One thing that BJP has stood for time and again is its priority to national security. Be it the Pulwama attack or LAC stand-off, BJP has always taken a strong stand. It has clearly communicated that Bharat will not tolerate any attempts to breach its sovereignty. Modi government has been investing in defence sector and has been entering into joint military exercises and partnerships with France, USA, Russia and Israel etc. As a consequence of which we are becoming more and more Atmanirbhar Bharat and it’s a matter of pride that we are now exporting defence systems such as, BrahMos missiles and Akash defence system to friendly countries. Our defence exports have reached a record high of estimated Rs 16000 crore in FY 2022-23. Thus, if it comes in power in Rajasthan it would probably take steps to ensure law and order and maintain security along the Border areas like Jaisalmer, Barmer etc. Further Rajasthan which has lot of surplus land may see many new Defence corridors coming up which would also create employment opportunities.
7. Education– Unlike the congress government, one can expect the BJP government to move forward with greater energy in the implementation of new education policy.
8. Reforms in mining sector- Rajasthan being rich in mineral resources will be playing an important role in the valuation of our national currency in the emerging new world order. Therefore, this sector is likely to see more regulation and proper evaluation under BJP.
9. Infrastructure development – An acceleration and convergence in the field of infrastructure by way of road, rail, air and waterways is likely to take place in a major way under BJP government in Rajasthan. This would also see synergy with important Hindu and other religious places which would increase religious tourism and generate more revenue for Rajasthan.

Last but not the least, it is highly likely that the BJP government would facilitate economic reforms like creating better ecosystem for start-ups etc. It might undertake electricity reforms and one can expect it to further facilitate and liberalise renewable sources of energy like solar energy in Rajasthan.