BJP, Congress reveal key players in newly released candidate lists

The political landscape in Rajasthan is gearing up for a showdown as both major parties, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have announced their candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The Congress, on Saturday, announced its first list of 33 candidates, revealing key players in their electoral strategy. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will be contesting from the Sardarpura Constituency, while prominent leader Sachin Pilot has been fielded from Tonk.

Meanwhile, Govind Singh Dotasra, President of Rajasthan Congress Committee, will vie for victory from Lachhmangarh. CP Joshi, the seasoned leader and Rajasthan Assembly speaker, is set to compete in Nathdwara. Divya Maderna and Ashok Chandna have been nominated for the Osian and Hindoli seats respectively, adding to the formidable Congress roster. Minister of Child Empowerment of Rajasthan, Mamta Bhupesh, is taking on the challenge in the Sikrai-SC seat.

The BJP on Saturday named 83 more candidates in its second list for the upcoming Rajasthan elections 2023, fielding former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from her traditional Jhalrapatan seat. The list also includes some prominent names, including former Rajasthan BJP president Satish Punia, who will be contesting from the Amber constituency. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Rajendra Rathore, has thrown his hat into the ring for the Taranagar constituency. Jyoti Mirdha, who recently crossed over from Congress to BJP, will be vying for the Nagaur constituency.

Jhalrapatan, a traditional stronghold for Vasundhara Raje, holds strategic importance in the BJP’s electoral calculus. The first list, announced on October 9, comprised 41 candidates, with former union minister and MP Rajyavardhan Rathore contesting from Jhotwara, and Diya Kumari, also an MP, entering the race from Vidhyadhar Nagar.

Baba Balaknath and Kirodi Lal Meena will be battling it out in the Tijara and Sawai Madhopur constituencies respectively. In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress clinched 99 seats, while the BJP secured 73 out of the 200 available seats. Ashok Gehlot’s ascent to power was facilitated by the support of BSP MLAs and independent candidates.

As the election fervor intensifies, polls are scheduled on different dates across the country. Mizoram and Chhattisgarh are set to vote on November 7, followed by Madhya Pradesh on November 17. Rajasthan will cast its votes on November 25, while Telangana will wrap up the polling season on November 30. The critical vote counting process will take place simultaneously in all states on December 3.

In this high-stakes political race, both parties are leaving no stone unturned to secure a victory in Rajasthan, a state with considerable influence on the national political landscape. The BJP on Saturday named 83 more candidates in its second list for the upcoming Rajasthan elections 2023, fielding former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from her traditional Jhalrapatan seat.

On Saturday, the party had released its first list which had the names of 41 candidates. In its first list, seven MPs have been named. With the second list, the BJP has so far named 124 candidates for the November 25 polls to the 200-member assembly.