Amidst the arid lands of Rajasthan, the state embarked on a democratic journey as nearly 10% of the electorate zealously exercised their voting rights in the initial two hours. An election department spokesperson reported a morning voting percentage of 9.77%, unveiling the active participation of citizens in shaping the state's destiny.
In Jaipur district, the pulse of democracy resonated prominently in the Kotputli assembly constituency, showcasing a remarkable 12.04% voter turnout by 9 a.m., leading the charge among the 19 constituencies. Shahpura, Jhotwara, Chaksu, and Virat Nagar followed suit with substantial turnouts ranging from 11.04% to 11.78%.
This electoral extravaganza commenced at 7 a.m., setting the stage for the selection of a new Assembly. The campaign trail witnessed impassioned debates, accusations, promises, and pledges, painting a vibrant canvass of democratic fervor. The ruling Congress, steadfast in its fortress, aspires to buck the trend of incumbency prevailing over the last three decades.
A colossal electorate of over 5.25 crore voters will determine the fates of 1,862 candidates vying for victory across 199 constituencies utilizing electronic voting machines. However, the election in Sriganganagar's Karanpur faced postponement due to the untimely demise of Congress candidate and incumbent MLA Gurmeet Singh Kooner.
The Rajasthan electoral landscape seems to hang in a delicate balance as the BJP, leveraging its campaign focused on law and order and critiquing "appeasement politics" of the Congress government, exudes confidence. Simultaneously, the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress places substantial reliance on the popularity of its welfare schemes.
Urban-rural dichotomy looms as a potential factor in deciding the electoral scales, with the BJP consolidating its urban standing and the Congress banking on its rural welfare initiatives.
Key points in play:
In the 2018 elections, the Congress fell short of the majority mark by just one seat, securing 100 seats, while the BJP managed to secure 73 seats, a significant decline from its 2013 absolute majority of 163.
The current electoral battleground boasts 1,862 candidates vying for the votes of 5.25 crore electorates. Of these, 1.71 crore voters fall between the ages of 18 and 30, while 22.61 lakh constitute new voters from the 18-19 age bracket.
The Congress pins its hopes on the charisma of Ashok Gehlot, nicknamed 'jadugar' (magician), coupled with its seven guarantees and pioneering welfare initiatives, such as the country's first legislation for gig workers, to secure re-election.
Rajasthan's historical trend of not granting a second term to any government since 1993 remains a focal point for the BJP, leveraging Prime Minister Modi's popularity in their bid to reclaim power. Vasundhara Raje, a prominent BJP leader, has not been designated as the chief ministerial face.
The BJP's campaign strategy encompasses allegations concerning crime against women, corruption, and purported paper leak scandals, notably highlighting the 'Red Diary' purportedly exposing irregularities by Chief Minister Gehlot, brandished in the Assembly by dismissed minister Rajendra Gudha.
The ongoing rift between Chief Minister Gehlot and his erstwhile deputy Sachin Pilot is a potential advantage for the opposition. Despite recent efforts to downplay differences, the discord, which peaked in 2020 and resurfaced earlier this year, remains a point of contention.
Sachin Pilot's recent appeal to support Congress candidates, echoed by Ashok Gehlot, signals a semblance of unity within the party, with Gehlot lauding Pilot as a young leader.
Noteworthy in this electoral gambit is the BJP's strategic fielding of seven MPs, including Rajyavardhan Rathore, Diya Kumari, and Kirodi Lal Meena, for the Assembly elections. The move, involving these MPs in the fray, seems aimed at balancing Vasundhara Raje loyalists within the party.
Ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, over 1 lakh security personnel stand guard to facilitate peaceful voting during this single-phase election. The denouement awaits on December 3 when the ballot counting unfolds.
(This is a developing story, and VYGR will keep updating this document as the day unfolds)
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