The bypolls in Ajmer, Rajasthan is at its supreme height as major parties Congress and BJP try to woo different sect of the state. Congress is in pursuit to woo Rajputs, whereas BJP has made up its mind to woo Jats of the state. Bypolls are due in the Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and the Mandalgarh Assembly seat on January 29. The results will be known on February 1. It was clear on the last day of campaigning for the Ajmer Lok Sabha bypoll. Congress candidate Raghu Sharma took an unannounced detour to attend a meeting. The meeting was attended by an old woman who was sitting at the centre of the dais. Sharma spoke to the public and addressed her, “Swargiya Anandpal ki mata ji, Nirmal Kanwar (the late Anandpal’s mother, Nirmal Kanwar).”

The woman addressed by Congress leader is the mother of late gangster Anandpal, who was killed in an encounter last year. Since then, his death has been a pain-point between Rajputs and the government. The meeting was held under the banner of Rajput va Ravana Rajput Samaj Sangharsh Samiti Rajasthan.

At the event, Sharma praised enthusiastically the role of Kshatriyas in “nurturing and supporting” Brahmins. This is how Congress leader Sharma tried to woo both the castes, in just one sentence ahead of the Ajmer bypolls.

As reported by The Indian Express, one speaker said how the BJP embarrassed Rajputs. Former Union minister Jaswant Singh was “disgraced” in the 2014 parliamentary polls, as a ticket was given to Sonaram Chaudhary, a Jat. Second, was history-sheeter and Rajput member Chatur Singh Sodha’s encounter in 2016. Third, was another Rajput Anandpal’s encounter in 2017. And fourth has been BJP’s handling of Padmaavat, he said.

BJP party leader said, “In Ajmer Lok Sabha, there are about 2.5 lakh Rajputs, 1.5 lakh Brahmins, 2.75 lakh Muslims and roughly 2.15 lakh Gujjars, and the last two have been unhappy with BJP too.” Gujjars have asked for the reservation which has been unsuccessful so far. However, it should be noted that there are about 2.5 lakh Jat voters, which have the probability to swing towards the BJP. In the region, Rajputs and Jats are caste rivals. The BJP has fielded Ramswarup Lamba, a Jat and son of Sanwar Lal Jat, whose death necessitated the bypoll.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar and party leader Nagma, both actors, and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot joined Sharma in his rally. The BJP cavalcade, on the other hand, was welcomed by hoardings, put up by Arya Samaj, Nath Samaj, Kayasth Samaj, Valmiki, Regar Samaj, Sindhi Samaj, Jingar Samaj, Swarnkar Samaj among others.

The final stop of the cavalcade was Bajrang Garh crossroad, where CM Vasundhara Raje quipped, “Hum log actor vactor nahi hain, hum toh sewa karne wale log hain (we are not actors, we are the ones who serve the people).” About Lamba she said: “Acha bhola insaan aapko mila hai (you have got a good, innocent person as your candidate).” She seemed to ask Lamba to speak, but he shook his head.