Rajasthan Assembly polls: Vasundhara Raje in BJP's 2nd list; Congress fields Ashok Gehlot

Former Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje has been included in list of 83 candidates for upcoming Rajasthan assembly polls. Raje will contest from Jhalarpatan, senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore is also in the fray from Taranagar. According to the information, the names of the candidates were finalised at a meeting of its CEC that was chaired by the BJP President JP Nadda on October 1.

Earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party released its second list of 83 candidates, after announcing a first list of the 41 candidates for the elections.

भाजपा की केन्द्रीय चुनाव समिति ने राजस्थान में होने वाले आगामी विधानसभा चुनाव 2023 के लिए निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की है। (2/2) pic.twitter.com/ykwI0zgSdI

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 21, 2023

The BJP has fielded Rajyavardhan Rathore, an MP from Jhotwara, while another MP Diya Kumari has been fielded from Vidhyadhar Nagar. Baba Balaknath will contest from Tijara and Kirodi Lal Meena from Sawai Madhopur.

Though Raje has been sidelined in the first list of the candidates has drawn a sharp reaction from the opposition parties. 

Meanwhile, Congress on Saturday has announced its first list of 33 candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.

According to the list, CM Ashok Gehlot will contest from Sardarpura Constituency. Sachin Pilot has been fielded from the Tonk constituency.

राजस्थान में होने वाले विधानसभा चुनाव, 2023 के लिए भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस द्वारा जारी उम्मीदवारों की पहली सूची। pic.twitter.com/tOyTHUM2TN

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 21, 2023

Govind Singh Dotasra, President of Rajasthan Congress Committee will contest from Lachhmangarh. Party Senior leader and Rajasthan Assembly speaker, CP Joshi will contest from Nathdwara seat. 

In addition to this, Congress has fielded Divya Maderna from the Osian seat, and sitting minister Ashok Chandna from Hindoli. Minister of Child Empowerment of Rajasthan, Mamta Bhupesh will contest from Sikrai-SC seat.

Last election

It is to be noted here that in the 2018 assembly polls the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP won 73 seats among 200 seats. After which, Ashok Gehlot came to power with the support of BSP MLAs and independents.

Assembly elections schedule

Assembly polls which are already scheduled will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30. Polls in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the poll-bound states.