Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023: The polling in Rajasthan for 199 assembly seats has just begun at 7 am today (November 25).Rajasthan Assembly elections beginsVoting begins for the Rajasthan Assembly elections, polling being held in 199 out of 200 constituencies pic.twitter.com/5d7ewjbj8m— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023The ruling Congress party aims to retain control of the state government while the opposition BJP hopes to unseat Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot by touting a collective leadership approach anchored by Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership.The key candidates in the fray include Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje, former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, Congress national spokesperson Gourav Vallabh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and Rajasthan LoP Rajendra Rathore.Fight for 199 constituenciesThe polling will be in 199 out of 200 constituencies from 7 am to 6 pm, while the counting of the votes will be taken up on December 3.Elections in Rajasthans Karanpur constituency were postponed following the demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. Meanwhile, several BJP and Congress rebel nominees withdrew after negotiations.However, around 45 rebel candidates from both parties are in the fray, including MLAs, former MLAs and party officials.As polling will soon begin in the state, adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful and fair election.Key contenders of this pollsThe Rajasthan assembly elections have witnessed fierce campaigning between BJP and the ruling Congress party, both of whom face dissident candidates while smaller parties also look to impact the outcome.The BSP has won seats previously in the state, while the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting as well alongside regional players like RLP, Bharatiya Tribal Party, CPI-M, Jananayak Janata Party and ASP.During the election campaign, the BJP has constantly attacked the Ashok Gehlot-led governments track record on issues including violence against women, exam paper leaks and farmer suicides. Congress has rebuffed notions of anti-incumbency, claiming they will defy the states three-decade trend of alternate parties coming to power.Both national parties have a rebellion within state units to contend with from disappointed ticket aspirants now fighting independently. Their performance and the support smaller parties can mobilise will prove decisive in the close electoral battle.CM Ashok Gehlot has expressed confidence that public welfare schemes will carry Congress to a repeat victory. But PM Modis enduring popularity continues making the BJP the key challenger to his dispensation.To woo the voters, both parties brought in their star campaigners at public rallies and roadshows in different parties of the state.Details of Rajasthan Assembly ElectionsThe election campaign concluded Thursday in Rajasthan which heads to the polls Friday with over 5.26 crore voters slated to decide the state governments fate after a blistering campaign season.#WATCH | Rajasthan: Preparation, mock poll underway as voting for #RajasthanElection2023 will begin at 7am today(Visuals from a polling booth in Jhalawar) pic.twitter.com/ZJH4KGHUm7— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023According to the Chief Electoral Officer, extensive preparations are in place for the high-turnout election across 51,890 stations. Notably, 1.7 crore young voters between 18-30 years, including 22 lakh first-time teen voters will participate.Enhanced security has been deployed to enable peaceful polling, with over a lakh personnel guarding booths. The 2018 elections brought a cliffhanger verdict with Congress claiming 99 seats and BJP 73, allowing Ashok Gehlot to become CM with outside support.
