Jaipur, Oct. 6 -- The BJP is preparing to deploy nearly 300,000 workers across Rajasthan's villages for the upcoming panchayat elections after its vote-share lead over Congress in the recent civic polls was less than one percentage point. The BJP polled 35.18% of the vote against Congress's 34.24% - a difference of 0.94 percentage points. Independents accounted for 27.38%, or 2,906,787 votes. Although the BJP secured leadership positions in most municipal bodies, people aware of the matter said the close contest had underlined the need for stronger mobilisation in rural constituencies. Around 150,000 workers are expected to be deployed in the first phase for booth management, voter outreach, campaign planning and coordination at the panchayat level. "Organisational preparations were in their final stages," BJP state general secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi said. "Active workers will be assigned responsibilities at the panchayat level to strengthen the party's direct connection with villages and local voters." The exercise will include appointing in-charges and coordinators and linking them with the party's existing network. Division-level election steering committees have also been formed, with senior leaders including former leader of the opposition Rajendra Rathore, Arun Chaturvedi, Alka Gurjar and former state chief Ashok Parnami overseeing preparations. The committees will gather feedback on local issues and voter concerns. The organisational push follows chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's visits to 19 districts between September 23 and October 3, combining public meetings with interactions with party workers. "Just as the public blessed the BJP in the civic elections, the party will receive overwhelming support in the panchayat elections as well. The development work of the BJP governments at the state and central levels and the strength of our organisation will be the foundation of our victory," state president Madan Rathore said. Meanwhile, the Congress is pursuing a parallel organisational exercise and launched its panchayat election campaign at a workers' convention in Degana, Nagaur, on Friday. It has also constituted a nine-member committee to examine complaints of cross-voting and other irregularities in the civic elections. "Cross-voting is an issue the party will address by giving preference to workers who have been with Congress for a long time, held organisational or elected positions, served as panchayat representatives or have a history of working at the grassroots," a party functionary said. Managing factionalism will remain a challenge for Congress, with tensions involving Dotasara, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former minister Vishvendra Singh....