| Rajasthan |
Abhishek Singh Samant
Congress conquers Rajasthan
The Vasundhara Raje government, which had raised terror
issue in a big way especially as the state capital was rocked
by serial blasts on May 13 killing 68 people, failed to get
the people`s mandate and Congress romped home in the desert
state with just five short of majority in the 200-member Assembly.
A tug of war, however, followed for the Congress
Legislative Party leadership but ultimately Gehlot emerged
victorious and was sworn in as the 19th Chief Minister of
Rajasthan for his second innings.
It was a major setback for Raje, who was hoping for a
victory on a Gujarat patterned poll-strategy by giving tickets
to 100 new faces. All the plans, however, went awry and the
BJP suffered defeat by retaining only 78 seats against 120 in
the 2003-polls. Mayawati`s BSP and CPI-M tripled the strength
of their MLAs to six and three respectively.
Full Coverage: Rajasthan Election»
Gujjar Agitation
The Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan grabbed headlines in 2008. In May, Gujjars began protesting in villages and towns across Rajasthan after the government refused to reclassify their caste at a lower social level which would allow them to qualify for govt jobs and university places reserved for such groups.
Members of the community blocked roads, leading to major traffic snarls in the morning hours, and burnt the effigies of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje as they took out protest demonstrations at several places.
The violence left 70 people dead, including 41 in police firing, and
threatened to engulf the entire northern region. The government and Gujjars led by Kirori Singh Bhainsla reached an agreement that would make the Gujjars special, separate backward class, entitling them to 5% reservation.
Jaipur Jolted
The Pink City was one of the many places to be targeted by terrorists in 2008. On May 13, seven blasts, within a span of few minutes, rocked the Pink City killing at least 80 and injuring several others.
Temple turns into graveyard
On September 30, a pilgrimage turned into a the last journey for devotees when an early morning stampede at an ancient hilltop temple in Jodhpur killed at least 224 people.
The incident occurred less than three hours after the temple opened for prayers on the occasion of the nine-day Navaratri festival and more than 10,000 worshippers rushed to reach the hilltop shrine. |
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