Rajasthan Congress's New Power Axis: Dotasra and Jully Steer SIR Pushback and Organisational Reset
In the political landscape of Rajasthan, a formidable duo is emerging as the driving force behind the Congress party's resurgence. State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully are at the forefront of the party's efforts to challenge alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Their leadership is not only shaping the opposition's strategy but also spearheading a comprehensive organisational reset aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots presence.
Steering the Congress Through Electoral Challenges
The Dotasra-Jully combination has steadily strengthened its hold within the Rajasthan Congress, particularly in recent years. Whether navigating successful election campaigns or restructuring the party's framework, their influence has become increasingly prominent. According to party sources, this growing clout has even raised concerns among political rivals within the Congress itself.
Rajasthan's political history is marked by a pendulum swing between the Congress and BJP from one Assembly election to the next. Most recently, the BJP ousted the Congress after the 2023 Assembly polls. However, the 2024 general elections saw a significant shift. Despite the BJP's previous dominance in Lok Sabha seats, winning all 25 in both 2014 and 2019, the party dropped to 14 seats in 2024. The Congress recovered to eight seats, with the INDIA bloc collectively securing 11 seats.
Behind this Lok Sabha comeback, party insiders credit the ground efforts led by Dotasra and Jully. They successfully built a Jat-Dalit support base, a strategic move that paid dividends. Dotasra, a prominent Jat leader, and Jully, the state's first Dalit Leader of Opposition, have been instrumental in this outreach. Despite the Congress's loss in the Assembly polls, Dotasra had assured the party high command of winning 10 to 12 seats in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, a promise that largely materialised.
Applying Pressure on the BJP Over SIR Irregularities
The ongoing row over the SIR exercise highlights how Dotasra and Jully have been applying relentless pressure on the ruling BJP. The two leaders have been holding regular press conferences in Jaipur and New Delhi, alleging that the BJP is attempting to delete Congress voters from the electoral rolls. At a press conference in Delhi on January 19, Dotasra directly targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of hatching a secret plan for large-scale fraudulent revision of the voters' lists during his visit to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's residence on January 13.
This aggressive stance is part of a broader strategy to ensure the Congress presents a united front in opposition. The previous term under then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, from 2018 to 2023, was marred by factionalism, particularly the tussle between Gehlot and former state party chief Sachin Pilot. This internal discord made the party an easy target for the BJP. Now, with the Congress in opposition, Dotasra and Jully are actively working to overcome these past divisions and foster cohesion.
Revamping the Organisational Structure
Beyond political messaging, Dotasra is also credited with revamping the Rajasthan Congress's organisational structure. Through a pilot project, he has focused on boosting district-level leadership and improving coordination with grassroots workers. State party spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi explained the necessity of this move, stating that earlier, the party was overly dependent on local MLAs or leaders to assemble teams of workers. With many district presidents and workers not actively participating in party meetings, it became imperative to make necessary amendments to the organisational structure, keeping long-term benefits in mind.
As part of this organisational restructure, the party has increased the number of district units from 40 to 50. Appointments were made after the All India Congress Committee conducted surveys and collected feedback. Workers are now organised across six levels, from booth to state, with their contact details centrally available in Jaipur. This initiative has reportedly impressed the Congress leadership in New Delhi, which is now considering replicating this model in other states.
Caste Dynamics and Future Challenges
Caste dynamics further bolster the positions of Dotasra and Jully. Dotasra has emerged as one of the most prominent Jat leaders in Rajasthan, especially as Rashtriya Loktantrik Party chief Hanuman Beniwal saw his party's representation dwindle from three MLAs to none in the current Assembly. Congress sources claim there has been a noticeable shift in Dalit and Jat votes towards the party, after initially leaning towards the BJP in recent years, largely due to the efforts of Jully and Dotasra.
However, the rise of these two leaders has not been without internal friction. Some senior state Congress leaders are said to be restless about their future amid this shifting power dynamic. The coming urban and rural local body elections, expected to be held by April, will serve as a critical test of the duo's ability to maintain party unity and deliver electoral success.
As the SIR exercise continues and organisational changes take root, the Dotasra-Jully axis faces its real test ahead. Their leadership will be pivotal in determining whether the Congress can sustain its momentum and effectively challenge the BJP in Rajasthan's evolving political arena.
