Rajasthan Assembly Election Results 2018: Tight race in the offing for CM post

The names in contention for the chief minister’s post in both the BJP and Congress have asserted themselves and emerged out winners in their respective constituencies. Rameshwar Lal Dudi and Girija Vyas, both Congress candidates are the only exception. While Vasundhara Raje won the Jhalrapatan seat defeating Manvendra Singh of Congress who recently switched from BJP, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot won comfortably in Sardarpura by defeating BJP’s Shambhu Singh Khetasar.

Manvendra parted ways with BJP in October and because he has strong political base in Barmer, he was pitched against Raje in the area that happens to be her home turf. Manvendra had extensively campaigned in the constituency, however, he got little time to consolidate majority support that could have helped him turn the tables on Raje. On the other hand, PCC president Sachin Pilot who was contesting his first  assembly election, registered a facile victory over BJP’s Younis Khan in Tonk. In a clinical show, he defeated Khan  by the margin of 53,570 votes. Pilot and Gehlot are the frontrunners for the post of chief minister in Rajasthan.  

Gehlot too won easily in a battle with Shambhu Singh Khetasar of BJP in Sardarpura. During last assembly election as well Gehlot had single-handedly defeated Khetasar. Another Congress CP Joshi has put up a commanding show in Nathdwara where he wiped out Mahendra Pratap Singh from BJP.

Joshi’s last outing in the constituency was a bitter experience when he was edged out by mere one vote. As the election process began, Congress had sidelined Joshi from all party positions and was pitched in as a low-profile candidate. However, Joshi has proved his mettle and is back in back in contention for the post of the CM. 

In an aberration, Dudi lost the election despite there being considerable speculation over his winning the polls. He has been defeated by Bihari Lal from BJP. During the ticket distribution Dudi had played a big role in deciding the tickets for Bikaner region and had advocated for a ticket to Kanhaiya Lal Jhanwar from Congress. On the other hand, Vyas though gave a tough fight to Gulab Chand Kataria in Udaipur, but failed to cross the finish line.

Names In Contention Come Up Trumps

The names in contention for the chief minister’s post in both the BJP and Congress have come up trumps in their respective constituencies. Rameshwar Lal Dudi and Girija Vyas, both Congress candidates are the only exception. While Vasundhara Raje won the Jhalrapatan seat defeating Manvendra Singh of Congress who recently switched from BJP, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot won comfortably in Sardarpura.

Raje Trounces Nanvendra By 34,890 Votes

Sardarpura is Ashok Gehlot’s fortress and a popular figure in Jodhpur. He is known as “Marwar ka Gandhi” and the perception that he will be the chief minister if Congress comes into power helped him register an easy win. Similarly, chief minister Vasundhara Raje is very popular in her constituency Jhalrapatan for she has done a lot of work much to the delight of youth who have got jobs. Manvendra was a new candidate in the constituency and Raje’s connect with people made her sweep the seat. Raje won the Jhalarapatan assembly constituency for the fifth consecutive term by a margin of 34,890 votes against Singh. In 2013 assembly election, Raje had won from the same seat by 60,896 votes while Singh, the son of veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh, had won from the Sheo constituency with a margin on 31,425 votes. Raje will represent the Jhalarapatan constituency for the fifth term in the 15th Rajasthan Assembly.

Joshi Rises Again

Congress CP Joshi has put up a commanding show in Nathdwara where he wiped out Mahendra Pratap Singh from BJP. 
Joshi’s last outing in the constituency was a bitter experience when he was edged out by one vote. As the election process began, Congress had sidelined Joshi from all party positions. 

Dudi Bites The Dust

In an aberration, Dudi lost the election despite there being considerable speculation over his winning the polls. He has been defeated by Bihari Lal from BJP. 
During ticket distribution Dudi played a big role in deciding the tickets for Bikaner region and advocated for a ticket to Kanhaiya Lal Jhanwar from Congress.