Rajasthan Assembly Election Voting LIVE Updates 2023: 3 pm Update – More Than 50% Votes Already In
Rajasthan Assembly Election Voting Live Updates 2023: Saturday morning marked the commencement of polling for the 199 assembly seats in Rajasthan, as the BJP intensified efforts to seize control from the Congress. Union Minister of State, Kailash Chaudhary, cast his vote early in Balotra.
It’s worth noting that out of the 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, polling in one seat—Karanpur, Sriganganagar district—was postponed due to the unfortunate demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. With 5,25,38,105 voters in the 199 constituencies, the stakes are high.
Interestingly, Rajasthan has a historical aversion to electing the same party consecutively for a majority in the 200-member assembly, setting a challenging precedent for the incumbent Congress-led government under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Complicating matters further, a controversy emerged, amplifying the woes of the ruling government.
In a state grappling with a significant unemployment rate (4.4% for the 12 months ending June 2023), a leaked paper in a government teacher recruitment exam has become a prominent sore point. The BJP, seizing the opportunity, has spotlighted the paper leak case, alleging a political nexus and positioning it as the emblem of corruption within the Gehlot administration. The unfolding electoral drama in Rajasthan promises an intriguing political showdown.
BJP has mastered the art of turning non-issues into Headlines
remarked Rajasthan Congress leader Bulaki Das Kalla during a media interaction in Bikaner amidst the ongoing polling in the state. Kalla went on to emphasise that the BJP seems to lack substantial plans for Rajasthan and resorts to creating distractions.
They seem to lack a concrete vision for Rajasthan. Our party has outlined a clear vision in its manifesto, and the benefits previously provided by the Congress in Rajasthan are well-acknowledged. The public recognizes that the Congress stands with the poor, while the BJP tends to favour the affluent,” Bulaki Das asserted.
Rajasthan witnessed a turnout of 40.27% across 199 assembly constituencies by 1:30 pm
Rajasthan witnessed a turnout of 40.27% across 199 assembly constituencies by 1:30 pm, as relayed by the Election Commission on Saturday. The electoral process commenced at 7 am after intense campaigning by prominent political parties, including the ruling Congress and the BJP.
It’s notable that the polling for the Karanpur assembly constituency was postponed due to the unfortunate passing of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. Despite this sombre development, the democratic exercise in the rest of the constituencies reflects a significant level of public participation in shaping the political landscape of the state.
Key Developments in the Rajasthan Assembly Election 2023:
1. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta has announced the adjournment of elections in the Karanpur seat of Sriganganagar, following the unfortunate demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar, who was also the sitting MLA.
2. A substantial 5,25,38,105 voters will play a crucial role in determining the fate of 1,862 candidates. Among them, 1,70,99,334 fall in the 18-30 age group, with 22,61,008 being new voters in the 18-19 age bracket.
3. The electoral battlefield boasts notable contenders, including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, State Congress Chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and several ministers such as Shanti Dhariwal, BD Kalla, Additionally, former Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya is making his political debut as a Congress candidate. The assembly election unfolds with a diverse and prominent mix of political figures vying for public support.
4. Representing the BJP, a formidable lineup includes Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Deputy Leader of Opposition and former state president Satish Poonia, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and Members of Parliament Diya Kumari, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Baba Balaknath, and Kirodi Lal Meena. Notably, Vijay Bainsla, the son of late Gurjar leader Kirodi Singh Bainsla, is also making his electoral debut as a BJP candidate.
5. The BJP’s roster features 59 MLAs, including defected Congress MLA Girraj Singh Malinga, six Lok Sabha members, and one Rajya Sabha member. In contrast, the Congress has fielded a total of 97 MLAs, incorporating seven independents and Shobharani Kushwah, who was expelled from the BJP last year.
6. The BJP’s acquisition of prominent figures from the Congress is evident, with former MP from Nagaur Jyoti Mirdha joining the party and contesting in the assembly election. Adding to the political dynamics, Nagaur MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) convener Hanuman Beniwal are also participating in the assembly election. The RLP has formed an alliance with Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshiram), led by Chandrashekhar Azad, setting the stage for an interesting electoral contest.