Interview/ Brij Bhushan can turn defeats into victories in non-Rajput areas, says BJP's Bhawani Singh Kalvi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost 2018 Rajasthan election with a difference of 1.5 lakh votes. Rajputs, who have been traditional BJP voters, turned away in 2018. There were several reasons of Rajputs turning away and not voting for the party in major centres like Mewar, Jalore, Palli, Udaipur, Baswara Sirohi, Kota, Bundi and other 10-12 seats in 2018, which led to Congress to form a government in the state. 

This time, the BJP welcomed traditional Rajput family leaders who had recently joined the party prior to the election, such as Bhawani Singh Kalvi and Vishvaraj Singh, in an effort to win back Rajput votes in Rajasthan. Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, a descendant of the revered Maharana Pratap, while Bhawani Singh Kalvi's father served as the chief of the Karauli Army and was former head of Karni Sena. Not only them, BJP plans to pitch Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, facing sexual harassment allegations by six women wrestlers, to campaign for the party in areas where Jaat vs Rajput political rivalry has majorly affected the party in 2018.

Places where Jaat vs Rajput political rivalry dominates are Palli, Mewar, Sirohi, Jalore, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Baswara, Dungarpur, Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Ajmer, and Bhilwara.

These are mostly the constituencies where Rajputs didn't vote for BJP. Republic spoke exclusively to Bhawani Singh Kalvi on Rajput resentment and how BJP plans to regain trust of the community ahead of the polls. 

Republic: How many seats in Rajasthan do you think the BJP finds challenging, and if you could name those Rajput seats for the BJP?

Bhawani Singh Kalvi: There are almost 37 seats where BJP is dealing with internal fight. The party can't give tickets to all the contenders; only the best for that seat will be chosen. I wouldn't deny the fact that 3-4 months before, it seemed like BJP will win, but now chances are 50-50; both side's candidates are strong and now it depends on other factors. There was a gap between the party and its's traditional voters, i.e., Rajputs since 2014 and till now no major effort has been done to bridge that gap. The Rajput voters had huge expectation when Vasundhara Raje Scindia was in Power but it didn't go well , Rajputs were not given what they deserve and now the resent is huge and we are trying everyday to resolve it.

Republic:  With your support how BJP aims to turn lost seats in their favour?

Bhawani Singh Kalvi:  My party Karni Sena and I are working hard in each and every corner of central Rajasthan belt from Mewar to Jaipur, Nagore, Udaipur, Chittorgarh. Everywhere there are party workers who are doing door-to-door campaigns and sabhas and we have youth support with us. BJP has woes within the party in Chittorgarh. Instead of Chandrabhan Singh Akya, the party gave ticket to the son-in-law of Bhairon Singh Shikhawat, Narpat Singh Rajvi.  With the help of Karni Sena, BJP can win this seat although it's very difficult because Chandrabhan Singh Akya has huge ground support and it's difficult to say that voters will listen, but everyday we are working hard to make party cadre understand.

Republic: What caused the Rajputs to leave the BJP, and is the BJP currently succeeding in winning over Rajput supporters?

Bhawani Singh Kalvi: Rajputs had been angry with the party after 2014. It started with Anandpal Singh's encounter. In the annals of Rajasthan’s criminal history, Anandpal Singh’s name flashes fear, anger and revulsion. But most of all, the 44-year-old is remembered as the symbol of pride of a community wounded by years of alleged neglect and political apathy. Rajputs protested heavily against the party after his murder. Then in Vasundhara Raje's tenure, the party neglected Rajputs from giving government posting. In belts where Jaats vs Rajputs political rivalry is known, Jaats were made SP and DM and above posting, this was another case of resentment. Vasundhara Raje Scindia's image was flouted as anti-Rajput, which made the traditional voters of BJP drift from the party. Later Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was supposed to be the party president in Rajasthan, but instead of him, CP Joshi was made the President. These reasons have led Rajputs to drift apart from BJP.

With the BJP now offering major tickets to Rajputs and soliciting suggestions from local leaders, the party is likely to win back the Rajputs' lost trust.

Republic: How can Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh help BJP regain the lost seats?

Bhawani Singh Kalvi: These days, Sharan Singh is well-liked in Rajasthan and has a lot of support from young people. From a distance, it appears that the BJP is running a campaign led by a tainted figure, but state assembly elections differ from general elections, and Brij Bhushan has the ability to turn defeats in seats lost in belts where Rajputs didn't vote like Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Nagore, Jodhpur, Barmer, Bikaner, Gaganagar, and Hanumangarh.

We don't currently know the party's campaign strategy, but only members of the party are calling for Brij Bhushan to run. The first week of November would be used to decide where he will run for office.

Republic: Which are the seats where you will campaign?

Bhawani Singh Kalvi: I don't know where all I will campaign, that is BJP's prerogative to decide; however we have started gathering support in Mewar and Chittorgarh majorly . These seats have always been the deciding factor regarding which party will win or lose. So, for now, we are also working on faces that have huge impact on population. Although Rajputs comprise 10 per cent of the population, in 120 seats, they have direct impact.

From its EWS programmes to its Old Pension Plan, Annapurna Kit Scheme, and its provision of gas to households at minimum rates, the Congress enjoys a number of advantages over the BJP. Rajputs have also been granted tickets by the Congress for important seats, so this election will not be simple.

Republic: BJP in the past has made mistakes by denying tickets to several important Rajput faces. Do you think BJP has rectified those mistakes? 

Bhawani Singh Kalvi: To some extent, BJP has rectified its mistake but as I said this is election. Everyone can't be given ticket. Some will be given and some will be denied. BJP is a big party and after several survey and discussions only party awards the ticket to the candidate, but this election, I can say several local big leaders had their say during ticket allotment.

BJP is eyeing to win at least 15 seats out of 17 in Jaipur and 17 seats in Shekhawati out of 21 regions. Nevertheless, the survey now is completely opposite, which we have seen because 3-4 seats only in Jaipur belt is the stronghold of the BJP, while only two are Shekhawati where BJP candidate is confident to win. I can only assure of Diya Kumari and Rajyvardhan Rathore's seats because these leaders are very much connected with ground cadre and are quite popular among the voters.

I could be wrong, but in these places BJP is working day and night to revive the voters and to some extent in my opinion, BJP will be able to do that because this party has discipline and ground network like no other party has.