As Rajasthan gears up for assembly polls this Saturday, BJP and Congress star campaigners engage in rallies and verbal sparring. Polling across the state’s 200 constituencies is scheduled for 25th November, with results expected on 3rd December. The 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election will determine all 200 members and is set for 25th November 2023. The current Assembly’s term concludes on 14th January 2024. After the December 2018 elections, the Indian National Congress, led by Ashok Gehlot, formed the state government.
List of key constituencies
Udaipur: The BJP has maintained a strong presence in Udaipur since 2003. Despite this, Udaipur Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Paras Singhvi has raised objections to Tarachand Jain’s nomination, cautioning that the party may face consequences. In response, the Congress has put forward Gourav Vallabh, renowned for his economic expertise and contributions to the Congress party’s economic agenda, as its candidate for the Udaipur constituency.
Jhunjhunu: In this constituency, arch-rivals Brijendra Ola from the Congress and Nishit Kumar from the BJP will compete. Ola has served as a three-term MLA in Jhunjhunu in the years 2008, 2013, and 2018.
Nathdwara: Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, a descendant of Maharana Pratap Singh, has been nominated by the BJP to contest from this constituency. Mewar will go head-to-head against Congress veteran CP Joshi, the current speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly. In the 2018 election, Joshi secured victory by defeating BJP’s Mahesh Pratap Singh with a margin of 16,940 votes.
Jhotwara: Olympian-turned-politician Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has been nominated by the BJP to reclaim the seat. In the 2018 election, Congress candidate Lalchand Katariya emerged victorious against Rathore in this constituency.
Sardarpura: Since 1998, this constituency has been a stronghold of the Congress. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has consistently won this seat since 1998. The veteran Congress leader, now vying for a fourth term as Chief Minister, emerged victorious in 2018 by defeating BJP’s Shambhu Singh with a 63% vote share.
Tonk: Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who achieved a notable victory in the Tonk seat, will be in a competition against BJP’s Ajit Singh Mehta. The Tonk constituency is home to the Gujjar population, as well as Meenas and Muslims. In the 2018 Rajasthan assembly polls, Pilot secured a win by defeating BJP’s Yoonus Khan with a margin of 54,179 votes.
Jhalrapatan: In this stronghold of the BJP in Rajasthan, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has been victorious since 2003. In the 2018 election, Raje secured 54% of the votes to defeat Congress candidate Manvendra Singh.
Churu: This constituency has been a stronghold of the BJP, with Rajendra Rathore, the leader of the opposition in the Rajasthan assembly, winning the seat on six separate occasions. In 2008, he contested from Taranagar, allowing Congress’ Maqbool Mandelia to secure victory by defeating BJP’s Harlal Saharan.
Battlegrounds of the Past: Close Fights in Rajasthan Elections
2003 election
In the 2003 Rajasthan Assembly election, BJP secured a decisive victory with 120 seats, while Congress lagged with 56. Notably, 17 constituencies saw winning margins below 1%, with Karauli at a minimal 0.1%. Suresh Meena of Bahujan Samaj Party claimed victory in Karauli, emblematic of the closely contested electoral landscape.
2008 election
In the 2008 Rajasthan Assembly election, Congress secured power with 96 seats, surpassing BJP’s 78. Notably, 17 constituencies witnessed margins below 1%, with Lachmangarh (34 votes margin) and Nathdwara (1 vote margin) won by INC and BJP, respectively. Other closely contested constituencies included Chomu, Nasirabad, Hanumangarh, and Ajmer North, among others.
2013 election:
In the 2013 Rajasthan Assembly election, BJP, led by Vasundhara Raje, triumphed over the ruling Congress, headed by CM Ashok Gehlot.
Gehlot won Sardarpura with an 18,478-vote margin, while Raje secured Jhalarpatan with a 60,896-vote lead. Six constituencies, including Amber, witnessed margins below 1%, with Naveen Pilania of NPP winning Amber by 0.2%.
2018 election
In the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly election, the Indian National Congress secured 100 seats, becoming the largest party but falling one seat short of a majority, while BJP won 73 seats. Notably, 13 constituencies had margins below 1%, with Pilibanga and Asind recording the lowest at 0.1%, both won by BJP candidates.
