Keeping in view the historical background of politics in the desert state of Rajasthan, it appears to be a straight fight between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in the ensuing assembly elections.

However, the political calculations of both these major parties could get disturbed with the presence of BSP, which is contesting the elections in all 200 assembly constituencies for the first time. It has imported its social engineering formula to the desert state by trying to woo the Gujjars, Jats, Rajputs and other castes.

For example, Shamsher Singh, the party candidate who is contesting the election from Sadulshahar constituency, Jeet Singh Adiwal from Anupgarh constituency, Balram Kukdwal from Suratgarh constituency in Ganganagar district in the northern part of the state seems to be a perfect combination of castes to woo the voters, besides, the traditional vote bank of the Dalits.

In the Rajput-dominated areas, it has fielded Rajput candidates while in the Gujjar belts, it has roped in some Gujjars as its party candidates. In the northern belt of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts comprising 11 assembly constituencies having a sizeable section of Sikhs, it has fielded three Sikh candidates.

The social engineering formula of the BSP in all 200 seats it is contesting in Rajasthan has made it a serious contender aiming to put forth a perfect combination of upper castes and the lower caste Dalit voters.

But, the main question before political observers is whether these combinations made by the ambitious Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and president of the BSP, Mayawati, would help in emerging her party as a formidable third force in the state.

In the previous elections, the BSP got just two seats with only 4 per cent vote share. In nine constituencies, the BSP was on the second position and in 23 seats it ranked third securing more than 18,000 votes in each constituency.

Arjun Chouhan, contesting the assembly election on the BSP ticket from Raisinghnagar constituency, says his party has gained strength during the past few years. “We are in a good position to win 25 to 30 seats in the state under the present political situation,” he adds.

Political observers are of the view that the BSP would perform better this time than the previous elections and would possibly be able to increase its vote share. But, whether it would be able to convert the vote share into seats could not be guessed till the declaration of results.