Congress leader Rupinder Singh emerged triumphant in the polls for the Karanpur assembly seat today by 11,283 votes. The election in the Karanpur assembly constituency had been postponed earlier owing to the untimely demise of the then MLA Gurmeet Singh Koonar.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had put forward Surendra Pal Singh as their contender against the Congress candidate in this election.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, announcing Surendra Singh's defeat, asserted that the people of Karanpur had effectively thwarted the Bharatiya Janata Party's ambitions. Gehlot, in a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) remarked, "People have taught BJP a lesson, which flouted the Model Code of Conduct by making its candidate a minister ahead of the (Karanpur Assembly seat) polls."
Speaking to ANI, Gehlot said, "...This election has given several messages...The arrogance of BJP and the manner in which they have abandoned morality...it is like a slap by the people to BJP."
It's worth noting that BJP's Surendra Pal Singh, who was not an MLA, was appointed to a cabinet rank by the newly elected BJP-led Rajasthan government.
As outlined in Articles 75(5) and 164(4) of the constitutional provisions stipulate that a minister who remains a non-member of either House of Parliament or state legislature for six consecutive months shall cease to hold the ministerial position at the end of that period.
In simpler terms, while an individual appointed as a minister is not required to be a member of Parliament or state legislature at the time of their appointment, they must secure election to either body within six months from the date of their appointment to sustain their position. The apparent violation of this constitutional provision by the BJP has added another layer to the post-election discourse in Karanpur.