Number of seats to play crucial role for BJP, Congress satraps
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are crucial for both the BJP and Congress high commands as the seats garnered by the respective parties in each state would determine how much of political leverage they would enjoy. Put simply, the clearer the majority, the better for the two central high commands; the thinner the margin, the play of the satraps would begin.
The balance would tilt depending on the number of seats won in each state and who among the regional satraps benefits or loses out. The role of six leaders-- Shivraj Chouhan, Kamal Nath, Vasundhara Raje, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Raman Singh — would be crucial this time.
BJP's Satraps
Unlike the Congress, all three regional satraps of BJP — Chouhan, Raje and Singh — have relatively less elbow room to manoeuvre.
A clear BJP majority would allow the high command to designate its choice of CM. But in case of a tough contest, it could be a different story.
Shivraj Chouhan: He is BJP's longest serving chief minister and an OBC face. After being in power for more than 17 years, anti-incumbency has set in.
But even his critiques agree that he is not a liability. Attempts have been made to repackage 'Mama', on the back of welfare schemes focussing on women. If the BJP's tally is between 110-120 seats in the 230-member house, then such a scenario could brighten his prospects of continuing as CM at least till 2024.
Vasundhara Raje: Acknowledged as BJP's biggest mass leader in Rajasthan, her lack of involvement in BJP's yatras ahead of the assembly polls, was also reflected in the response.
