Party system of Rajasthan

Party System of Rajasthan plays a significant role in shaping the democratic framework of the state. In the context of Rajasthan Polity, the party system reflects a strong tradition of electoral competition, primarily between national and regional parties. Over the years, it has influenced governance, policy-making, and the socio-political landscape of the state.

Rajasthan was divided into many princely states before independence. The various political groups operating there were neither organized nor coordinated, which could give birth to a complete, developed, integrated political party.
After independence, due to democracy and electoral politics, Congress and other political parties felt the need for their formal organization and mass base, as a result of which the path of political development of party system was paved in Rajasthan.

Features of the party system in Rajasthan

Diversity of political parties:

Many political parties have existed in Rajasthan politics since the first general election in 1952, such as the Congress, Jan Sangh, Swatantra Party, and Ram Rajya Parishad.
The number of political parties has increased steadily in the elections held from 1952 to 2023, but there has been no significant change in the number of elected parties. This shows that the new parties have not influenced the voters much.
The political participation of state-level and other parties has increased in the state after the 1990 general election.
86 parties participated in the 2018 assembly elections, which was the highest number ever. This included 6 national parties, 7 state-level parties, 73 other parties, and independent candidates.
The 2023 assembly elections saw the participation of 5 national parties, 8 state-level parties, 65 other parties, and independent candidates.
The option of NOTA (None of the Above) was also made available to voters from the 2013 election.

Role of State Level Parties:

State level parties play an important role in Indian democracy. These parties exist in various forms:
Some represent caste, region, or religion.
Some parties are active on specific issues.
Some parties try to establish themselves at the national level.

Role of Independent Candidates:

Independent candidates have played an important role in the elections of Rajasthan, which has often had an impact on the formation of the government.
From 1952 to 2023, the number of winning candidates of independents and other parties in the elections has been between 5 to 9.

Dominance of Congress and BJP:

From 1952 till now, the center of power in Rajasthan has been between Congress and BJP.
Out of 16 assembly elections, Congress formed the government 10 times, BJP 5 times, and Janata Party 1 time.

Analysis of the political system:

It is clear from the results of elections from 1993 to 2023 that the number of political parties in Rajasthan increased, but there was stability in the electoral results.
Once BJP and the next time Congress formed the government, which makes the rotation of power clear.

Multi-party system:

Rajasthan follows a multi-party system, in which many parties participate in the electoral process.

Lack of ideological rigidity:

Ideological rigidity is not found in the politics of the state. There is flexibility in the ideas and policies of the parties.

Dominance of Congress till 1977:

Until 1977, the Congress party played a major role in the politics of Rajasthan and remained in power most of the time.

Party politics based on individuals and leadership:

Most of the party politics in Rajasthan has been centered around individual leaders and their leadership.

Split, disintegration and instability:

Split, disintegration and instability tendencies have been observed in political parties, which affect the politics of the state.

Tendencies of opportunism:

Tendencies of opportunism are seen emerging in the state, in which leaders and parties change alliances and policies for their personal benefit.

Lack of clear distinction in policies and programmes:

There has been a lack of clear distinction in the policies and programmes of political parties, which makes it difficult for voters to take decisions.

Internal factionalism:

There have also been tendencies of internal factionalism in political parties, which affects the unity and efficiency of the party.

Tendency of defection:

Tendencies of defection have been common in the politics of the state, in which leaders do not hesitate to change parties.
The two-party system is clearly visible in the politics of Rajasthan.

Coalition politics and defection in Rajasthan

Defections and political changes of 1951-1954:

From 1951 to 1954, three chief ministers came to power and lost power.
In 1954, the Congress made Mohanlal Sukhadia the Chief Minister, who ruled for 17 years.
Incidents of defection played an important role in this rule.

Third general election of 1962:

Congress won 88 seats in the 176-member House.
By including 1 independent MLA in Congress, it achieved majority.
10 independents and 5 party members joined Congress.

Fourth general election of 1967:

Before the general election, 2 Congress MLAs, dissatisfied with ticket distribution, broke away from Congress and formed the Janata Party. About 20 Congress MLAs joined the Janata Party.
In the 1967 election, Congress got 89 seats in the 184-member House.
Congress claimed to form the government by including 4 independent MLAs.
Due to political deadlock at this time, President’s rule was imposed on 28 February 1967.

Assembly elections of 1990:

No party could get majority.
Janta Dal and BJP formed the government together, after some time BJP party withdrew support from Janata Party at the center, due to this reason Janata Dal also withdrew support from BJP in Rajasthan, which led to a split in Janata Dal.
21 MLAs of Janata Dal separated from BJP, out of which 18 got a place in the BJP cabinet.

Change in political system:

Congress dominated Rajasthan from 1952 to 1977.
In the 1990s, BJP started emerging as an important political party.

The rise, prospects and current status of regional parties in Rajasthan

Influence of leftist parties:

Despite the social and economic disparities and agriculture-based economy of Rajasthan, leftist parties could not get much importance in the politics of Rajasthan.

Reasons for the absence of regional parties:

The historical feudal environment and lack of industrialization in Rajasthan have been the main reasons due to which the two-party system has been established more permanently in the state.

Regional parties in Rajasthan:

Bhartiya Lok Dal

Founded: In 1974 by former Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Re-established: Lok Dal was re-established in 1984.
Support: This party gets major support from farmers.
Regional support: It has special support in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party

Establishment: In 1951, Jivatram Kriplani separated from Congress and established this party.
Merger: In 1952, it merged with the Socialist Party, after which the name of the party became Socialist Praja Party.

National Unionist Zamindar Party

Formation: Founded in 2013, formed by non-agriculturists to represent their interests.
Legacy: The party considers Sir Chhotu Ram as its legacy.
Electoral performance: The party won 2 seats in the 2013 assembly elections.

Bharatiya Tribal Party(BTP)

Founded – Formed in Gujarat in the year 2017 by Chhotubhai Vasava and Maheshbhai Vasava.
Election symbol – Auto rickshaw election symbol allotted by Election Commission of India.
Ideology: Envision of tribal welfare and Bhilistan (state of Bhils).
Influence: Special influence in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Entry in Rajasthan (2018 Assembly Elections) –
- Filed 11 candidates.
- Won Chorasi (Rajkumar Roat) and Sagwara (Ramprasad) seats.
- Joined Indian National Congress government.
- Withdrew support from Congress government in 2020.
- Party split in September 2023.
- Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad formed a new party called Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP).

Bharat Adivasi Party(BAP)

Formation: 10 September 2023
The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) split in September 2023. Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad broke away and formed the party.
Headquarters: Dungarpur, Rajasthan
Election symbol- Hockey- Ball
Current status:
- One MP and 3 MLAs in Rajasthan.
- Third largest party after BJP and Congress.
MPs:
MP: Rajkumar Roat (Banswara-Dungarpur).
MLAs:
- Chaurasi – Anil Katara
- Aspur – Umesh Damor
- Dhariawad – Thawarchand Damor
- Bagidaura – Jaikrishna Patel
Electoral performance:
- 2023 assembly elections: Contested for the first time, won 3 seats.
- By-elections: Won Bagidaura and Chaurasi seats.
- Rajkumar Roat became MP in Lok Sabha elections.

National Democratic Party(RLP)

Formed: Hanuman Beniwal in October 2018.
Election symbol: Water bottle.
2018 Assembly Election: Won 3 seats.
2023 Assembly Election: Won 1 seat.
Socio-economic base: Support of Jat community, emerging leader of farmers, supports strikes and dharnas based on public issues.

Bharat Vahini Party

Founder: Ghanshyam Tiwari.
Election performance: Was negligible.

Political evolution of the major state parties

Indian National Congress

Freedom struggle and Congress (1938-1948)

Decision to intensify the freedom struggle in Rajasthan in the Haripura session of 1938.
Establishment of Praja Mandals and Lok Parishads in various princely states.
Jat leaders took the help of Praja Mandals to solve the problems of farmers.
Formation of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee in 1948, which was the formal establishment of Congress in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee

In 1948, the Rajasthan Regional Council of All India Native State Lok Parishad was converted into Rajputana Pradesh Congress Committee, which formally inaugurated the Pradesh Congress Committee in Rajasthan.

Congress governments after independence (1948-1967)

Hiralal Shastri became the first Chief Minister of Rajasthan (1949).
Jai Narayan Vyas government adopted the policy of ending the Jagir system.
Internal power struggle in Congress, Mohanlal Sukhadia became the Chief Minister (1954).
Congress did not get a clear majority in 1967, President’s rule was imposed.

Congress and Indian Politics (1969-1980)

1969: Congress split (‘Syndicate’ vs Indira Gandhi).
1971: Big victory under Indira Gandhi (‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan).
1975: Emergency imposed, opposition parties suppressed.
1977: Janata Party in power, Congress defeated.
1980: Congress returns under Indira Gandhi.

Congress’s ups and downs in Rajasthan (1980-2003)

1980: Congress wins assembly elections, Jagannath Pahadia becomes CM.
1989: Congress’ image tarnished by Bofors scandal, BJP rises.
1990-98: BJP’s Bhairon Singh Shekhawat becomes CM.
1998: Congress wins, Ashok Gehlot becomes CM.
Gehlot government focuses on electricity, roads, education, health reforms.

Period of change of power after 2003 (2003-2023)

2003: BJP’s Vasundhara Raje government.
2008: Congress returns, Gehlot becomes Chief Minister.
2013: BJP wins with a huge margin, Vasundhara Raje becomes Chief Minister again.
2018: Congress wins, Gehlot becomes Chief Minister for the third time, Sachin Pilot becomes Deputy Chief Minister.
2023: BJP returns, Bhajanlal Sharma becomes Chief Minister.

Before Independence:-

Lack of official organization – Before independence, Congress had no formal organization or strong mass base in Rajasthan.
Crisis of regional leadership – Congress faced lack of able leadership at the state level.
Prajmandal activities – Their influence remained limited to urban areas, while they could not be effective in rural areas.

After Independence:-

One-party dominance system – After independence, Congress dominated Rajasthan and established itself as the main political party.
Social support – Congress received widespread support from various sections, castes and groups of the society, which kept its position strong.
Political dominance – In the initial years, Congress did not find any strong opposition party, due to which its dominance over the politics of the state remained intact.
Administrative stability – The Congress government kept the power organized and stable through policies and administrative reforms.

Important initiatives and impact

Congress: Emphasis on social schemes (free medicine scheme, pension, food security).
BJP: Focus on infrastructure, women empowerment.
Main reason for change of power: Anti-incumbency.

Socio-economic base of Congress

Influence of freedom movement:
- In the initial phase, Congress had the support of all sections, especially its association with the participants in the freedom movement.
Support of weaker sections and backward castes:
- Congress received widespread support from weaker sections and backward castes.
Support of religious minorities:
- Congress received support from religious minority communities, especially the Muslim community.
Support of peasant and working class:
- Small farmers and agricultural labourers supported Congress, especially due to land reform policies.
Support of tribal community:
- Congress also received significant support in tribal areas.
Support of kings, maharajas and landlords:
- After independence, in the initial phase, Congress received the support of kings, maharajas and landlords.

Ram Rajya Parishad

Establishment and objectives (1948)

Founder: Karpatri Maharaj (Swami Hariharanand Saraswati)
Ideology: Hindu nation, religion-based governance, cow protection, restoration of Varnashram Dharma, support for uniform civil code.
Support base: Religious saints, Mahants, Rajput Jagirdars, rural and orthodox Hindu community.
First opposition party of Rajasthan, which got the support of Jagirdars of Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Political influence and electoral performance

1952 Rajasthan Assembly elections: Won 24 seats and became the second largest party after Congress.
1957 elections: Due to the rise of Congress, Jan Sangh and Swatantra Party, seats reduced to 17.
1962-1967: Party weakened, got 1 seat in 1962, almost ended in 1967.
1971: Ram Rajya Parishad merged with Bharatiya Jan Sangh, Swatantra identity ended.

Significance and conclusion

Created the initial platform for religious politics in Rajasthan.
The dominant rule of the Congress and the rise of the Jana Sangh-Hindu Mahasabha led to the decline of the party.
Ram Rajya Parishad became a part of political history with its merger with the Jana Sangh in 1971.

Bharatiya Jana Sangh

Establishment and ideology (1951)

Establishment: 21 October 1951, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
Ideology: Nationalism, Hindu culture, opposition to Congress’ Kashmir policy and minority appeasement
RSS support: For organisational structure and Hindutva outlook
Opposition to Nehru-Liaqat Pact, due to which Mukherjee resigned from the Union Cabinet

Establishment of Jana Sangh in Rajasthan (1951)

12-13 September 1951: Conference in Jaipur
13-14 October 1951: First session of Rajasthan
Prominent leaders: Balraj Madhok, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Sundar Singh Bhandari, Lal Singh Shaktawat etc.

Electoral success and political growth

1952 assembly elections: 8 MLAs elected, won 1 Lok Sabha seat
1957 elections: 6 MLAs elected, vote percentage increased
1962 elections: 15 MLAs elected, Jana Sangh’s influence increased
1967 elections: Alliance with anti-Congress parties, 22 seats Won
Strong hold in Kota district, 4 seats in 1962, 8 seats in 1967

Protests and movements

Capital dispute (1956-58): Jana Sangh opposed transfer of High Court from Jodhpur
1967 opposition to Congress government: criticism of President’s rule
Opposition to agricultural and tenancy reforms: active role in support of farmers

Jana Sangh merged with Janata Party (1977)

Supported opposition movement in Gujarat and Bihar
Struggle against Emergency (1975)
Jana Sangh merged with Janata Party to defeat Congress in 1977 elections.
1977 elections: Janata Party got 150 seats in Rajasthan, Congress got only 41
Jana Party government was formed in Rajasthan, in which Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, Organisation Congress, Bharatiya Kranti Dal and Samajwadi Party merged.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Rajasthan

Dispute over the post of Chief Minister and leadership of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

After the formation of the Janata Party government, there was a dispute over the post of Chief Minister.
Maharawal Laxman Singh of the Swatantra Party and Master Adityandra of the Organization Congress also wanted to become the Chief Minister.
According to the internal consensus of the Janata Party, Rajasthan was given to the Jana Sangh.
Maharani Gayatri Devi considered the Jana Sangh to be a staunch Hinduist and was opposing it.
Finally, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was elected Chief Minister in the elections.
This increased the influence of the Jana Sangh in Rajasthan

Role of Jan Sangh in Rajasthan Assembly:

The legislators played an active role in the assembly, developing a deep understanding of the procedure and rules of the assembly.
In favour of farmers, Jan Sangh opposed the cooperative agriculture scheme, terming it anti-farmer.
Opposed the Rajasthan Khatedari (Amendment) Act 1958.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat accused the Congress government of depriving the farmers of Indira Gandhi Canal area of khatedari rights.
Strongly opposed the bill to levy cash levy on farmers in proportion to rent.
The Jat lobby also opposed this proposal, which brought Jan Sangh the support of the farming community.

Significance and Conclusion

Jan Sangh is credited with mainstreaming nationalist and Hindutva politics in Rajasthan
Played a key role in the anti-Congress coalition
In 1977, Jan Sangh came to an end organizationally with its merger with the Janata Party, but the ideology continued to grow
Reorganization as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, which started a new era in Rajasthan politics

Hindu Mahasabha

Pre-independence influence (1920-1947)

Founded: 1915, Madan Mohan Malaviya
Acted as a pressure group within Congress, emphasis on protecting Hindu interests.
Ran cow-protection, ghar-wapsi, anti-Muslim League campaigns in Rajasthan.
Opposed non-violence policy, demanded Hindu nation.

Post-independence political entry (1947-1952)

Fought some seats in 1952 election in Rajasthan, but did not succeed.
Weakened by rise of Jana Sangh and Ram Rajya Parishad.
Main agenda was Hindu nationalism and opposition to Muslim appeasement.

Political decline (1957-1971)

Weak performance in 1957 election, Jana Sangh’s influence increased.
Almost defunct by 1962 election, leaders joined other parties.
Mahasabha became irrelevant in Rajasthan after 1971, completely eliminated due to rise of BJP.

Conclusion

Rajasthan played a role in Hindu awakening before independence, but later it ceased to exist due to Jansangh and BJP.

Swatantra Party

Establishment and Background (1959)

Founder: C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)
Opposition: Socialist policies of Congress, abolition of Jagir system, cooperative agriculture and land reforms.
Supporter Classes: Royal families, Jagirdars, land-owners, industrialists, capitalists.
Prominent Leaders: Minoo Masani, K.M. Munshi, Maharawal Laxman Singh, Gayatri Devi.

Political Entry and Influence in Rajasthan

1952 and 1957 Elections: Tried as independent candidates against Congress, but limited success.
Formation of Swatantra Party in 1959: Got support of disgruntled feudal lords and kings in Rajasthan.
Support of Gayatri Devi (Jaipur Maharani), which gave new strength to the party.
1962 Assembly Elections: Won 36 seats, Gayatri Devi registered a historic victory from Jaipur Lok Sabha.
1967 Elections: Became the second largest party in Rajasthan by winning 49 seats.

Swatantra Party and Jansangh Alliance (1967)

Formed an alliance with Jansangh to defeat Congress.
Gayatri Devi opposed Jansangh as conservative, but alliance was formed under pressure from national leadership.
Despite fears of loss of Muslim votes, got support from Rajputs and industrialists.

Decline and merger of the party (1972 onwards)

Won only 11 seats in 1972 election, Congress’ popularity increased.
Later merged with Chaudhary Charan Singh’s party.
Swatantra Party ceased to exist in Rajasthan, but its supporters supported Jansangh and later BJP.

Conclusion

Swatantra Party became the main opposition party against Congress (1962-67).
Political platform of royals and industrialists, but weaker than Jansangh.
Wane of political influence after 1972, and eventual merger.
One of the last successful attempts of feudal politics in Rajasthan.

Formation and dissolution of the Janata Party (1977–1980)

Formation of Janata Party (1977)

Foundation: Formed in 1977 by the merger of anti-Congress parties.
Component parties: Jana Sangh, Lok Dal, Organisation Congress, Samajwadi Party.
Success in Rajasthan: Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the Chief Minister after winning 152 seats.
At the national level: Janata Party formed the government, but there was lack of party harmony.

Instability and internal conflict

Jana Sangh was disciplined and ideologically organized, factionalism in other components.
Struggle for the post of Prime Minister: Morarji Desai vs. Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Jana Sangh supported Morarji Desai, which made Chaudhary Charan Singh dissatisfied.
Charan Singh got the post of Prime Minister with the support of Congress, but Congress withdrew support, the government fell.

Formation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Jana Sangh (1980)

Jana Party broke up, Jana Sangh component transformed into Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Weak performance of Janata Party in 1980 Lok Sabha elections, Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister again. Congress dismissed non-Congress governments including Rajasthan and imposed President’s rule.

Political changes in Rajasthan (1980)

In the mid-term elections held in May 1980, Congress got 133 seats and BJP got 32 seats.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the first recognised opposition leader.
BJP contested the assembly elections on the lotus symbol, which later became the permanent identity of the party.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Formation of Bharatiya Janata Party and ideological change (1980)

Foundation: BJP was founded on 6 April 1980 as the successor of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Founding leaders: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
Main ideology: Nationalism, value based politics, redefinition of secularism.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s inaugural speech: Described BJP as not the successor of Janata Party but as the representative of Jayaprakash Narayan’s aspirations.Strategy: Presenting Hindu nationalism in a broader context, giving a new interpretation of secularism.

BJP’s struggle and Congress’ dominance in Rajasthan (1980-1990)

The decade of 1980-90 was dominated by Congress in Rajasthan.
Under the leadership of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, BJP opposed the government on issues like roads, electricity, water, education, transport, medical, famine.
Political steps like dharna, demonstration, memorandum, assembly boycott were taken.
BJP’s acceptance among the public increased, the number of workers increased.
1984 Lok Sabha Elections: Indira Gandhi’s assassination brought sympathy to Congress, all 25 seats in Rajasthan went to Congress, BJP got only 2 seats across the country.
1985 Assembly Elections: Congress – 113 seats, BJP – 38 seats.

Rise of BJP and anti-Congress alliance (1989-1990)

1989 Lok Sabha Elections: BJP fielded candidates in 226 seats, won 86 seats.
Congress could win only 1 seat out of 25 in Rajasthan.
Electoral alliance: BJP – 13 seats, Janata Dal – 11 seats, CPI-M – 1 seat.
1990 Assembly Elections: BJP – 85, Janata Dal – 55, Congress – 50.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became Chief Minister (BJP government with Janata Dal support).

Babri demolition and dismissal of BJP government (1992)

6 December 1992: Demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya.
The central government banned the RSS.
15 December 1992: BJP government was dissolved in Rajasthan and President’s rule was imposed.

BJP’s return and 1993 elections

BJP won 96 seats, Congress got 76 seats.
BJP again formed the government with the support of independents and Janata Dal.
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the Chief Minister again (4 December 1993).
Clear two-party system – From 1993, a clear two-party system started to form between BJP and Congress in Rajasthan.

1998 elections and BJP’s defeat

BJP got only 33 seats, Congress got 153 seats.
Defeat due to inflation, onion crisis and internal factionalism.
Congress’s Ashok Gehlot government was formed (1998-2003).

BJP’s historic victory and Vasundhara Raje government (2003-2008)

2003 assembly elections: BJP won 120 seats, Congress was reduced to just 53 seats.
Vasundhara Raje became the first woman Chief Minister.
Main schemes:
- Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan.
- Bhamashah Yojana (2008).
- Rajiv Gandhi Lift Project (drinking water supply).
Gujjar agitation (2007-08): Gujjar community demanded ST reservation, violent protests took place.

BJP’s defeat and Congress’ return (2008-2013)

2008 elections: BJP got only 78 seats, Congress got 96 seats.
Inflation and agitation against the government
Ashok Gehlot became the Chief Minister for the second time.

BJP’s landslide victory and Vasundhara Raje’s return (2013-2018)

2013 elections: BJP got 163 seats, Congress got 21 seats.
Huge victory due to Modi wave and Vasundhara Raje’s strategy.
Major schemes:
- Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation (RSLDC).
- Bhamashah Yojana (women empowerment).
- Annapurna Bhandar Yojana.
- Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan.
Before 2018 elections:
- Padmaavat film controversy: Protest by Karni Sena and Rajput organizations.
- Gajendra Singh suicide case (2015): Farmers’ movement against land acquisition policy.

BJP’s defeat and Congress’ return to power (2018-2023)

2018 elections: Congress gets 100 seats, BJP gets 73 seats.
Ashok Gehlot becomes Chief Minister for the third time.
Sachin Pilot becomes Deputy Chief Minister.
Major schemes:
- 10% upper caste reservation.
- Farmer loan waiver scheme.
- Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme.
- Indira Rasoi Yojana.
Sachin Pilot’s rebellion in 2020, but the government survives.

2023 Elections and BJP’s return to power

The BJP won 115 out of 200 seats.
The Congress was reduced to just 69 seats.
Bhajanlal Sharma (leader with RSS background) became the Chief Minister.
Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa became Deputy Chief Ministers.

Socio-economic base of BJP

Influence of Hindutva ideology:
- The BJP got special support from the Hindu community due to its Hindutva ideology.
Support of urban upper class and business class:
- The BJP initially got the support of urban upper class, businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Supporters of economic liberalization:
- After the Emergency, the BJP got the support of the capitalist class due to supporting economic liberalization.
Support of upper castes:
- The BJP got support from upper castes, especially the Rajput class
Support of kings-maharajas and Rajputs after land reform:
- After the land reform process, the BJP and the Jan Sangh started getting the support of kings-maharajas and Rajput class.

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party(RLP)

Founded (29 October 2018): By Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal.
First state-level recognised regional party (2019).
2018 Assembly Elections:
- Contested 57 seats, won 3 seats.
Election symbol: Water bottle.
Prominent Leaders:
- Chairman: Pukhraj Garg.
- Lok Sabha Member: Hanuman Beniwal (Nagaur).
- Assembly Member:
  - Narayan Beniwal (Khinvsar).
  - Indira Bawari (Merta).
  - Pukhraj Garg (Bhopalgarh).