RS polls: BJP-backed entry of media baron Subhash Chandra is 11th-hour surprise for Congress

In a surprise move, BJP announced its support for the Essel Group chairman, who made an eleventh-hour entry, becoming the fifth candidate from Rajasthan.

There are only four RS seats in Rajasthan, where Congress is in the position to win three seats and BJP one seat.

With this, BJP and Congress will have to fight for the fourth seat.

According to political observers, the BJP has made a calculated move by supporting Chandra.

He is likely to challenge Congress candidate Pramod Tiwari, an Uttar Pradesh resident, as "an outsider".

Further, BJP has also a sharp eye over the simmering feud between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Congress is also facing anger from its own party members in the state as all four party candidates are from other states.

The Rajasthan assembly has 200 seats, where Congress has 108 MLAs and BJP has 71 seats. Each RS candidate needs 41 votes to win.

Calculations show that small regional parties and Independent candidates will play a crucial role in who wins the seat.

There are 13 independents, two Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) members, two of the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP), and two CPM MLAs, who may be the deciding factor.

While BJP is pinning its hopes on Independents, Congress is counting on the regional parties and the Left for support.