Separating magic, realism

At the fag end of the campaign trail, suddenly the most talked about man was incumbent Ashok Gehlot. And this time it had nothing to do with him or his work. Instead it was about his future. In Jodhpur, Gehlot’s turf, the nukkad gossip revolves around whether he will be chief minister for a second time if the Congress comes to power. Statements from senior Jat leaders of the Congress have suddenly got everyone thinking. Balram Jhakhar and Col Sonaram have raised the issue in Jodhpur and Barmer belts, both Jat-dominated regions. To woo the Jats, who felt cheated when Gehlot became the chief minister last time, both leaders have said that there could be other options.

Gehlot agrees with them. ‘‘The decision on who will be chief minister is always taken after the elections, unlike in the BJP. I didn’t stake claim last time, I won’t do it this time.’’

But before the CM gossip got wind, the man of the moment was magician Gopal, president of the All India Bharatiya Jadoo Kala Academy and an Independent candidate from Jodhpur’s Soorsagar constituency. He has been in the spotlight ever since he rode a bullock cart to file his nomination. His unique campaign style has attracted more crowds than what many others have managed to muster.

In neighbouring Jaisalmer, candidates spent more time wooing the man with the ‘‘magic fatwa’’ than they did talking to their voters. Legend goes that Ghazi Fakir is the man who controls the votes of the sizeable Sindhi Muslim community in the area. A revered saint of the community, what Fakir says goes, which is why candidates queue up outside his hamlet more than anywhere else. This time his verdict has gone in favour of the Congress.

Miles away, in the heartland of Karauli district, the royals attracted just the same kind of attention. Campaigning for former Karauli maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal was his wife, the maharani who never steps out of her palace.

People in Pal’s constituency flocked to see their ‘‘queen’’, standing awe-struck as she wooed them for votes. Her presence has won half the battle, they say.

As each candidate battles local caste equations, which are proving to be the biggest factor in these elections, a word from Shekhawati’s ‘‘original satta bazaar’’. Contrary to every survey and going against the general feeling, they are predicting that no one will make it to the Jaipur Vidhan Sabha with a clear majority. ‘‘We know our stuff,’’ says a bookie. ‘‘Never mind what the others say, we are known to get things right.’’

Bets have been placed, but the voter hasn’t spoken, not a word yet. Across the state, they have been silent spectators, clapping politely but reserving their thunderous applause for another day.