Rajasthan is poised for a crucial electoral battle on Saturday as the state votes to elect members of a new assembly, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aiming to displace the ruling Congress. Polling is scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm in 199 out of 200 constituencies, with tight security arrangements in place, according to Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta. However, the election in Sriganganagar's Karanpur seat has been adjourned due to the demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar, who was also the sitting MLA, news agency PTI reported.
The high-stakes campaign saw the Congress highlighting the achievements of the Ashok Gehlot government, its schemes, and a promise of seven guarantees if re-elected. The BJP, on the other hand, criticised the Congress on issues such as crime against women, appeasement, corruption, and paper leaks.
A total of 1,862 candidates are in the fray, with 5,25,38,105 voters, including 1,70,99,334 in the 18-30 age group, and 22,61,008 new voters in the 18-19 age group.
Key leaders from both parties are contesting, including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, former CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje, and opposition leader Rajendra Rathore.
The BJP has given tickets to 59 MLAs, including defected Congress MLA Girraj Singh Malinga, and six Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha member. In contrast, the Congress has fielded 97 MLAs, including seven independents and one from the BJP, Shobharani Kushwah, who was expelled from the saffron party last year.
BJP's Gurjar leader Kirodi Singh Bainsla's son Vijay Bainsla is also contesting, while former chief secretary Niranjan Arya is trying his luck in politics as a Congress candidate.
Notable political figures who switched from Congress to BJP, such as former MP Jyoti Mirdha, are also participating in the election.
The election holds significance as it will decide whether the state continues with its trend of alternate governments. Presently, Congress has 107 MLAs, BJP 70, 3 Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), 2 each of CPI (M) and Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP), 1 Rashtriya Lok Dal, with 13 independents and two vacant seats.
While preparations for the elections have been completed, both parties are making last-minute appeals. In a notable show of unity, Chief Minister Gehlot posted a video on social media featuring Sachin Pilot appealing to people to vote for Congress.
Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta assured that arrangements have been made for free, fair, and peaceful elections, with live webcasting at polling stations and the deployment of security personnel.
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Security Measures In Place For Rajasthan Election
To ensure peaceful voting, a robust security apparatus has been implemented across Rajasthan. A total of 1,02,290 security personnel have been deployed, including 69,114 police personnel, 32,876 Rajasthan Home Guard, Forest Guard, and RAC personnel, PTI reported. Additionally, 700 companies of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) have been stationed.
Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta detailed the security arrangements, stating, "Three flying squads and as many Static Surveillance Teams (SST) will be deployed in each assembly constituency for intensive checking and monitoring on the voting day." Further, he mentioned that one additional flying squad and SST each would be deployed in expenditure-sensitive polling stations, as per PTI.
To maintain security along the interstate border, action will be taken at checkposts spanning the 4,850 km-long border with states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. The objective is to prevent the entry of unwanted outsider elements.
Gupta emphasised the commitment to peaceful elections, with over 1,70,000 personnel, including central paramilitary forces and armed forces from 18 other states, set to be deployed. A coordinated effort involving micro observers and sector officers aims to address any issues promptly.