"There's a strong undercurrent in favour of Congress": Rajasthan CM Gehlot

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 24 : Upbeat over his party's chances of returning to power in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said there was a strong undercurrent in favour of the ruling Congress in the state.
Speaking to ANI a day before Rajasthan polls for the Assembly in a single phase, CM Gehlot said, "There is a strong undercurrent in favour of the Congress in Rajasthan. I have sensed as much while campaigning across the state. There is a pro-incumbency wave. Villages that previously voted in favour of the BJP are now turning to the Congress after deriving the benefits of our schemes and policies. I believe that this undercurrent and pro-incumbency will ensure the victory of many of our candidates, who many felt might not win. If this undercurrent works in our favour, we will form the government."
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said, "Two Gujaratis are touring Rajasthan, telling people who to vote and how. I am a son of the soil, a Rajasthani. I will tell my fellow Rajasthanis to vote for me."
"When I went to campaign for the Gujarat Assembly polls, Prime Minister Modi had said a Marwari had come to seek votes. The PM as well as the BJP tugged at voters' sentiments and whipped up regional pride to pull votes in their favour. Hence, I, too, will ask voters to give us the mandate like PM Modi did in Gujarat," CM Gehlot added.
He also urged the people to turn out in big numbers on polling day.
"Voting is the democratic right of every citizen and they must exercise it. Opposition leaders, who come here from Delhi when elections are around the corner, only end up provoking people. The BJP has neither brought up nor been critical of our campaign promises. They could have questioned our guarantees but, instead, tried to instigate the people," Gehlot added.
Earlier, on Friday, Congress leader Sachin Pilot appealed to people to vote for his party and ensure it returns to power with an absolute majority, thereby putting an end to the tradition of the state not voting back an incumbent.
In a personalised video message, which was posted by CM Gehlot on X, the former deputy chief minister urged people to re-elect the Congress government to ensure the state's progress.
"Rajasthan Assembly elections are going to be held on November 25. We have conducted several campaigns in the run-up to the polls and the feedback and response from the public suggest that Congress is going to form the government in the state with a full majority. The tradition of power alternating between the BJP and the Congress will change this time, as the people will repose their trust in us," Pilot said.
The high-pitched campaign for the Rajasthan polls ended on Thursday.
In the 2018 polls, the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP finished at 73.
Gehlot took oath as chief minister with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents.