Ashok Gehlot
Both the BJP and the Congress have their party bigwigs—Amit Shah and Ashok Gehlot—on ground zero for an election that has thrown up a do or die situation.
Shah has stayed put in Gujarat since Diwali and Gehlot, too, has more or less remained in the state. They have travelled extensively to meet party workers across the state.
Amit Shah, who is considered the 'Chanakya' of politics and credited for BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, has been campaigning aggressively.
A senior BJP leader said, “Even before campaigning began, Shah was deciding caste equations and held meetings with party workers till the booth level.” He said the BJP is giving emphasis to seats that it lost by a thin margin in the 2012 polls.
Gehlot keeps a low profile and coordinates with the teams sent by Rahul Gandhi. The team which surveyed the mood of the people also spoke to potential candidates. Gehlot has also brought his own team of workers from Rajasthan.
A senior Congress leader said, “He would not require a separate chamber to discuss things. He can also be found discussing poll nuances with party leaders.” Sources within the party said Gehlot had been instrumental in ensuring that the rebels withdrew in favour of the official candidates.
