Anti-incumbency hangs heavy on the governing party, and even heavier on sitting members of the legislative assembly in Rajasthan – known for a “roti palatnewali” electorate which has rotated the party in power over five assembly elections in the last 25 years.
The BJP and Congress, however, bet overwhelmingly on incumbent MLAs for the 200 assembly seats. Even this time, the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress has fielded 86 of the 100 MLAs, or 86 percent, who won in the last election. The BJP has chosen 61 of its total 73 MLAs, or 84 percent. But such bets have not paid off for both parties in the past, according to 2003-2018 election data analysed by Newslaundry. In the period considered, the Congress came to power in 2008 and 2018, and the BJP in 2003 and 2013.
