Election Update: BJP Ahead with 117 Seats, Congress at 68, Notable Figures from Both Camps Trail Behind

As of around 12 noon, the BJP is leading in 117 seats in Rajasthan, while the Congress is leading in 68 seats. BJP state president CP Joshi attributed the lead to the Congress government's failure to fulfill promises, stating, "The Congress Government misled people as they never did what they said, and hence the BJP is leading in postal ballot and EVM as well."

The first result has been declared in favor of the BJP, with its candidate from Dudu, Premchand Bairwa, defeating Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's advisor Babulal Nagar. Bairwa expressed gratitude to the people for trusting him and cited Dudu's development as a priority. The loss in Dudu is notable as it was declared a new district by Ashok Gehlot.

Several prominent figures are trailing in the initial results. Assembly Speaker Dr. CP Joshi is behind in Nathdwara. Former BJP state president Satish Poonia, initially trailing in Amer, has now taken the lead.

Sachin Pilot and Govind Singh Dotasra, after an initial lag, have gained the lead. Independents have outperformed both the BJP and Congress in the Shiv Assembly seat of Barmer district.

Ashok Gehlot is leading from the Sardarpura seat, while Diya Kumari is leading from the Vidhyadhar Nagar seat.

Notable developments include BJP candidate Deepti Kiran Maheshwari leading in Rajsamand, Mahant Balaknath leading in Tijara, and BJP candidate Siddhi Kumari leading in Bikaner East. BJP's Bhajan Lal Sharma is leading in Sanganer, and Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena is leading in Sawai Madhopur, while BJP MP Devji Patel is trailing in Sanchore.

Among rebels, Chandrabhan Singh Akya, contesting as a rebel from BJP in Chittorgarh, is leading. Rebel Yunus Khan is leading from Didwana, and rebel Ravindra Singh Bhati is leading in the Shiv seat.

Raghu Sharma, a senior Congress leader, is trailing in Kekri, Ajmer, and Divya Maderna is trailing in the Osian seat. Due to the death of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Kunnar in the Sri Karanpur Assembly seat, elections have not been held there.

The counting of votes in Rajasthan is expected to take place in the maximum number of rounds on the Shiv Assembly seat of Barmer, with a maximum of 34 rounds, making it the last seat to declare results.

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed joy over the BJP's performance and predicted the formation of a BJP government in the state. He stated, "I had already said that the BJP will form the government in the state with a clear and overwhelming majority. It is clear now. The magician's magic has ended from Rajasthan."

Shekhawat also expressed confidence in the BJP returning to power in Madhya Pradesh with a two-thirds majority.

(With Agency Inputs)