Triple blow to Raje government

BJP leaders said the loss has nothing to do with the government’s performance. Spokesperson Kailash Nath Bhatt said, “While general elections were held on national and state issues, bypolls are always contested on smaller, more local issues. This does not go to show that the people are unhappy with the state government.”

The Congress said Raje’s failure to deliver on her poll promises led to the the results. State Congress chief Sachin Pilot said, “In the assembly polls, the electorate gave them a thumping majority, but what did they deliver? The Raje government has only 11 ministers and the CM holds 47 portfolios. How can she do justice to any of them?”

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “Now that the BJP has lost and is shaken out of its slumber, it might start working. So far they were only enjoying tours.”

Raje’s rivals in the party called the loss a result of her high-handedness. Sources said apart from Kota South, the candidates did not have the backing of the legislators who had vacated the seats. Raje is said to have ignored the recommendations of Sanwar Lal Jat, Santosh Ahlawat and Bahadur Singh Koli, who vacated Nasirabad, Surajgarh and Weir after being elected MPs.

The bypoll results are bad news for Raje as she is said to have run out of favour with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her rivals say the defeat could widen the chasm.