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The BJP based its campaign in the state on the development ushered by its government at the Centre and by targeting Gehlot on issues such as exam paper leaks and appeasement politics. Though the Congress has not announced its chief ministerial candidate, it is believed that Gehlot is the frontrunner for the post. The BJP too has fought the elections without naming a CM candidate, but Gehlot’s predecessor Vasundhara Raje is one of the probables from the party.
Leading the campaign for the Congress were its president Mallikarjun Kharge and leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Gehlot. The BJP’s campaign was spearheaded by top leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its president JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers Yogi Adityanath and Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Preparing for every eventuality, both Congress as well as the BJP have started reaching out to Independent candidates, including rebels, and even smaller outfits in case there is a split verdict. There are more than 40 rebels from the BJP and the Congress who contested the elections after they were denied tickets. Some of them are expected to win, sources said.
In the exit polls predictions on November 30, India Today-Axis My India forecast a tight race, predicting 86-106 seats for the Congress, 80-100 seats for the BJP and others 9-18. Dainik Bhaskar gave 98-105 seats to the BJP and 85-95 to the Congress and Jan Ki Baat 100-122 to the BJP and 62-85 to the Congress.
TV9 Bharatvarsh-Polstrat predicted 100-110 for the BJP and 90-100 for the Congress, Times Now ETG 108-128 for the BJP and 56-72 for the Congress and Today’s Chankaya gave a simple majority to the Congress. India TV-CNX put the Congress’ tally at 94 to 104 and the BJP’s at 80-90, Republic TV-Matrize gave 115-130 seats to the BJP and 65-75 to the Congress, and P-MARQ 105-125 to the BJP and 69-91 to the Congress. Jist-TIF-NAI predicted that in Rajasthan there would be continuation of the state’s revolving door tradition.