Congress leader Sachin Pilot has begun the party's preparations for the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly elections by focusing on the politically significant Mewar-Vagad region of southern Rajasthan. During a two-day visit, Pilot travelled across Banswara, Dungarpur, Salumber, and Udaipur districts, where he met party workers, interacted with tribal communities, participated in cultural programmes, and criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government. The outreach reflects Congress' effort to strengthen its position among tribal voters, who hold considerable influence in the region's electoral politics.

The Mewar-Vagad belt is considered one of the most important political regions in Rajasthan because of its impact on government formation. The region includes Udaipur, Salumber, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh districts, accounting for 28 Assembly seats in the 200-member Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Of these, 17 seats are reserved, including 16 for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and one for Scheduled Castes (SC). Since a party needs 101 seats to form a government, these constituencies play a crucial role in the state's electoral calculations.

The political importance of Mewar-Vagad has been visible in Rajasthan's election history over the past two decades. In 2003, the BJP performed strongly in the region and went on to form the government. The Congress gained an advantage in the 2008 elections and returned to power, while the BJP again dominated the region in 2013 under former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. In the 2023 Assembly elections, the BJP won 17 of the 28 seats, while Congress secured seven seats and the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) won three constituencies.

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Tribal voters remain the central political force in southern Rajasthan, with the region representing the state's largest tribal electoral belt. Of Rajasthan's 25 ST-reserved Assembly seats, 16 are located in Mewar-Vagad. Tribal communities form a majority in districts such as Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh, while they also influence outcomes in several constituencies of Udaipur and Salumber. As a result, both Congress and BJP have traditionally given special attention to the region during election campaigns.

However, the rise of the Bharat Adivasi Party has changed the political dynamics of the tribal belt. The party has established a strong presence among tribal communities and affected Congress' traditional support base in the region. With the 2028 Assembly elections approaching, Congress is attempting to rebuild its connection with tribal voters, while the BJP and BAP are also expected to intensify their campaigns. The competition for Mewar-Vagad's tribal vote is likely to remain a key factor in shaping Rajasthan's political future.

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