Despite his freebies, Gehlot's government is seen as corrupt and non-performing, Raje has no issues to raise. The BJP hopes the state will vote against the UPA and dynasty.

The current joke within the Bharatiya Janata Party is that Rahul Gandhi should be petitioned to tour every constituency in Rajasthan. In an election devoid of issues, the BJP hopes to ride on the anti-Congress, anti-dynasty sentiment in the state, both symbolised by Rahul. Enthused by results of the Congress VP’s rallies in Churu and Alwar, BJP leaders are convinced that the more Rahul speaks, the greater damage he will inflict on the Congress. Thus, the silent ‘ye dil maange more Rahul’ prayer within the BJP.

The BJP’s reliance on the ‘Rahul effect’ may be a subject of mirth within the party. But it also reflects the BJP’s inability to contribute credible talking points to the discourse in Rajasthan. The election debate is currently dominated by just three points: Will Modi help BJP win? Will the anger against the UPA government hurt the Congress? Will Ashok Gehlot’s schemes work? Notice the absence of Rajasthan BJP as a subject from the paan-dukaan discussion.

Only a few months ago, the BJP was in an enviable position. While the UPA’s failures were tightening the noose around the Congress, Gehlot’s paralyzed government was simultaneously digging the party’s grave.

Such was the mood against the Congress government a year before elections that even Vasundhara Raje had started praying that the Congress does not change the CM before elections. Whenever reports of CP Joshi’s possible coronation surfaced in Rajasthan, the BJP would start praying for Gehlot’s survival.

But Gehlot’s volte-face stunned the BJP. A year ago, Gehlot turned into a generous Santa Claus who had a pre-election gift for everybody. From his failure, his free schemes became the agenda for the Congress, leaving the BJP confused.

With the performance of the present government no longer a major issue, the election has now become a choice between the BJP’s past and the Congress’ future.

In her election speeches, Raje has been drawing attention to the performance of her government (2003-2008). But, since development as an issue has been hijacked by the Congress, Raje’s efforts have not created a buzz.

But within the Congress the mood is not of celebration but of pessimism. Survey after survey has revealed that the people are unhappy with rising inflation and corruption, both attributed to Delhi. Even those happy with Gehlot are not willing to vote for him because of their anger against the Congress.

The problem with the Congress now is that there is nobody left in its ranks to make voters listen to the party’s version. Gehlot was never a great speaker or a mass leader. And nobody is taking Rahul seriously. His speeches in Rajasthan have been panned by critics, ridiculed by the BJP and dismissed by voters as immature and irrelevant rhetoric.

As a result, people go back from Congress rallies either disappointed and disillusioned or regaled by Rahul’s never-ending gaffes. The contrast is further highlighted by Modi whose concert-type rallies, where he slams both the UPA and Rahul, are not only helping the BJP galvanize the believers but also in winning over new converts.

This has set the template for the election campaign in Rajasthan. Over the next few weeks, the Congress will try to focus more on Gehlot’s achievements. It will try its best to divert attention from the UPA’s failures and Rahul’s dwindling appeal. The Congress hopes the election turns into a referendum on Gehlot’s performance and gali-mohalla issues.

The BJP’s game plan is the exact opposite of the Congress strategy. Modi, who will spend three days in Rajasthan, will continue to hit the dynasty and the Congress. He would want Rajasthan to vote against the Congress and the dynasty’s representatives like Gehlot. He is unlikely to be drawn into the debate on Gehlot’s schemes and their impact.

In this scenario, Gehlot would hope that voters separate his success from the Centre’s failure. He would hope that when people vote on December 1, they think about the free dole he has slipped into their pockets rather than worrying about who had pocked money from Coalgate. He would hope that the election would be a contest between him and Raje.

The BJP would, of course, want onions, fuel prices, 3G, CWG and Damaadji to become dominant themes of the election. And its cadres would pray that Rahul keeps hopping around in Rajasthan on one foot, the other being perennially stuck in his mouth.