How The Choices BJP Made Led To Its Stunning Defeat In Rajasthan Bypolls | Read

Ram Swaroop Lamba appeared to be the perfect choice. Son of the BJP's popular Jat leader and sitting Lok Sabha whose death had necessitated the Ajmer by-election, 45-year-old Mr Lamba was expected to ride a sympathy wave and command the powerful Jat vote that makes for 12 per cent of the vote share in the constituency. But the Congress fielded Raghu Sharma, 60. The Rajputs - many of them angry at what was perceived to be the Vasundhara Raje government's failure to protect the community pride in the controversial film Padmaavat controversy - sided with the Congress. So did the Brahmin vote. This consolidation against the BJP this time became an unbeatable combination.