STAGE SET FOR DESERT STORM

In bipolar battle of 25 constituencies, both BJP and Cong mobilise star campaigners

- RAJESH ASNANI

THE desert state of Rajasthan is witnessing a fierce political showdown as the traditional rivals the Congress and the BJP-lock horns in a largely bipolar battle.

With the BJP having bagged all 25 seats in the state in the last two Lok Sabha elections, the stakes are high for the saffron brigade.

But the Congress is also making a determined bid to thwart a clean sweep by the BJP and has strategically formed alliances and fielded candidates on only 22 seats leaving three seats for its alliance partners.

The coming Parliamentary polls pose a significant challenge for Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma of the BJP, who despite being a debutant MLA rose to the CM's office. The BJP has deployed a galaxy of its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In response, the Congress has also mobilised its key figures party president Mallikarjuna Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. In the last two elections, the Congress failed to secure any seats but this time around, it is likely to gain some ground despite its loss of power in the state.