Rajasthan has a history of voting out incumbent governments, and Ashok Gehlot has been there twice in his political career. But this time would be different, he says as he sits down for dinner after yet another gruelling day.
“We have delivered, and people know that we have delivered,” Mr. Gehlot said. His plan for winning a majority in the 200-seat State Assembly hinges on the slew of welfare and development schemes his government has kicked off. In 2018, the Congress won 100 seats, one short of majority. Election will be announced early October.
Mr. Gehlot calls it the “mali model of good governance”, referring to his caste that is traditionally in the occupation of gardening. He likens his job as the Chief Minister to that of a gardener. “Mali’s job is to tend the garden. There are flowers of various colours and fragrances. They need to be nourished and protected. As CM of Rajasthan, I think of myself as a gardener of the society,” he said.
