Congress, BJP start countdown for 2008 showdown

With the Vasundhara Raje Government entering the last year of its term, the BJP and the opposition Congress are preparing to switch to election mode.

With the Vasundhara Raje Government entering the last year of its term, the BJP and the opposition Congress are preparing to switch to election mode. Both parties have decided to launch their election preparations on December 8, the anniversary of the Raje Government.

While the BJP has announced a 8216;maha rally8217; in the state capital on that day, the Congress has decided to hold protests and agitations across the state. Political pundits believe both parties are in a way launching their campaign for the Assembly elections, scheduled for late December 2008 .

8220;It8217;s election year next year and obviously we would be doing everything keeping that in mind. What better day than December 8 for a show of strength,8221; said a senior BJP leaders.

The BJP has started preparations for mega events to celebrate four years of power, showcasing various achievements and projects launched by the Raje Government. One of them will be the maha rally in Jaipur, for which the party hopes to draw at least three lakh people.

The rally is important for the BJP as some rebels are expected to participate. The infighting within the BJP has turned ugly over the past two years with the rebels often staying away from major government functions. However, with elections just a year away, the rebels and their rivals are eager to put up a show of strength.

For the Congress, December 8 offers a perfect platform to showcase the failures of the Raje Government. The protests announced by the Congress would be the first programme organised by new Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee RPCC chief Dr C P Joshi. Senior Congress leaders said Joshi has already briefed the party workers on how these protests will lay the foundation for the campaign.

Joshi, who was until now concentrating on strengthening the party at the grassroots, has announced that protests would be organised at all 237 blocks in the state. Joshi is said to be testing the waters for a full-fledged campaign against the Government. The Congress expects at least 20,000 supporters to turn up for its protests in Jaipur.

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8220;Despite the Government8217;s tall claims, the common man in the state is unhappy. Our main objective is to lend a voice to their concerns and anxiety,8221; says Joshi.