Both Congress and BJP are out with their manifestos for Rajasthan. Apart from their almost similar stand and announcements on most issues, interestingly, both have not made any clear promises regarding the most contentious political issue of the last two decades. Gurjar reservation has been most cursorily mentioned, albeit sans any promise.

While the Congress manifesto released on Thursday says the party is committed to providing legally acceptable 5% reservation to the community. The BJP manifesto has no mention of the issue. This is when both parties have professed to have provided providing reservation when in government.    

It is believed that several reasons like a repeated setback at the hands of the court and long winding negotiations, that proved barely conclusive, prevent both parties from stepping out of the safe zone to make a commitment to the community that has been in agitation mode for over a decade. But most importantly, it is fear invoking ire of around half a dozen communities that hold them back from poll promises. These communities are consolidated vote banks with the capability to inflict damage in elections.