In the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections of 2023, the BJP played the religious gamble by fielding three saints in the fray. The BJP secured victories in all three constituencies. It is worth noting that this time, the BJP did not field any Muslim candidate in Rajasthan.
Balamukund Acharya won from Hawa Mahal
BJP candidate and head priest of Hathoj Dham, Balamukund Acharya, won from the Hawa Mahal constituency in Jaipur. Congress candidate R.R. Tiwari faced defeat in the field. This time, there was a 76.30% voter turnout, which is four per cent higher than in the previous elections. In 2018, the voter turnout was 72.78%, and in 2013, it was 73.64%. In 2008, the voter turnout was 57.8%. This time, there was an increase of four per cent in voter turnout.
Balaknath Yogi won from Tijara
BJP secured a victory from the Tijara constituency in Alwar district, and Member of Parliament Balaknath Yogi emerged victorious, by defeating Congress candidate Imran Khan. This time there was an 86.11% voter turnout in Tijara. In 2018, the voter turnout in this seat was 81.98%, in 2013 it was 85.86%, and in 2008, it was 71.8%.
Mahant Pratappuri won from Pokhran
Meanwhile, in the nuclear town of Pokhran, there was an 87.79% voter turnout. In the last two elections, there was the same percentage of voter turnout. BJP’s Mahant Pratappuri secured a victory in Pokhran, who is currently the head of the Taratara Math. It is worth noting that supporters of Mahant Pratap Puri compare him to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is also known as the Yogi of Barmer. Pratappuri defeated Congress minister Salle Mohammad.
Otararam Devasi won from Sirohi
In this year’s legislative assembly elections, the BJP once again fielded Otararam Devasi from Sirohi. He secured victory from the Sirohi assembly seat with 35,805 votes, which is a significant margin. He defeated Congress candidate Sanyam Lodha. Otararam Devasi received a total of 1,14,729 votes, while Congress’s Sanyam Lodha received 78,924 votes. Otararam Devasi had previously served as the Gopalan and Devasthan Minister in the BJP government in the years 2014-15.
The religious gamble played by the BJP in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections of 2023, featuring three saints as candidates, resulted in a clean sweep for the party in all three constituencies. The victories of Balamukund Acharya in Hawa Mahal, Balaknath Yogi in Tijara, and Mahant Pratappuri in Pokhran underscore the party’s strategic move. The absence of a Muslim candidate from the BJP’s lineup adds another dimension to the electoral dynamics. These outcomes highlight the intricate interplay of religion and politics in the election landscape, shaping the representation in the state assembly.
