Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the formation of 19 new districts in the state and also declared three new divisions namely Sikar, Pali and Banswara.
His announcement is seen as a master stroke in a way as Gehlot has struck a regional as well as the political balance in the formation of new districts.
By announcing such a large number of districts simultaneously, the Congress leader also attempted to diminish the impact of anti-incumbency. If fewer districts would have been announced, then resentment could have developed from other places before the elections.
In order to give relief to the areas where demand was rising due to the long distance from the division headquarters, efforts were made by the ruling party to balance the demand of the people by announcing Pali, Sikar and Banswara divisions.
Gehlot snatches BJP's temple agenda
To counter BJP which has been accusing the Congress government of "breaking" temples, banning processions on the day of Ram Navami, the Gehlot has made several announcements for the development of major temples of Rajasthan and to speed up religious tourism in state.
Apart from developing Jaipur's Govind Devji temple on the lines of Ujjain's Mahakal temple, he also announced preparing DPR for the development of Khatushyam ji, Salasar, Tripurasundari, Karnaimata, Kailadevi, Mehandipur Balaji, Ramdevra temple, Khole ke Hanuman, Veer Tejaji temple and Sanwaliya temple. Further, he also announced spending Rs 100 crore on Beneshwar Dham.
The announcement to form Pushkar Development Authority for the development of Tirtharaj Pushkar also gives a reply to BJP's allegations. Gehlot has in a way tried to sideline the issue of BJP by focusing on the development of religious areas.
Gehlot also has a focus on social engineering before the elections. To help castes, he announced the formation of the Veer Tejaji Board which is an attempt has been made to help the Jat community.
(With inputs from IANS)
