In the Rajasthan Assembly elections, more than 10 of the pivotal 21 constituencies witnessed significant upsets, reshaping the political landscape. Notably, the defeats of Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia, and Assembly Speaker CP Joshi sent shockwaves.
The BJP injected intrigue by fielding 7 of its MPs in the contest, yielding mixed results. While 4 MPs showcased commendable performances, 3 faced unexpected defeats, including Devji Patel and Bhagirath Chaudhary, both securing third place in their respective races.
The victories of MPs like Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Diya Kumari, Kirodilal Meena, and Baba Balaknath were remarkable. Diya Kumari's landslide victory in Vidyadhar Nagar by a staggering 71,368 votes marked the widest margin.
However, setbacks befell the BJP in Kishangarh, Jhunjhunu, and Sanchore Jalore. In Kishangarh, Congress' Vikas Choudhary clinched victory, pushing BJP's MP to third place in a triangular contest.
Mandawa witnessed BJP MP Narendra Khichad's defeat by Congress MLA Rita Chaudhary, jeopardizing the MP's reputation in his former assembly seat. Similarly, in Sanchore, an Independent candidate secured a win, dethroning BJP's three-time MP Devji Patel, who came in third.
Contrastingly, MPs in Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur shone brightly. Kirodilal Meena secured victory in Sawai Madhopur, while Diya Kumari triumphed in Vidyadhar Nagar, amassing record votes.
The victory of BJP's Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in Jhotwara showcased his dominance, defeating Congress' Abhishek Chaudhary by a significant margin. Likewise, BJP's Baba Balaknath emerged victorious in Tijara, standing out amidst a seat marked by polarization, securing a win by 6,173 votes.
Overall, the Rajasthan Assembly elections witnessed a series of unexpected victories and defeats, redefining the political narrative in several key constituencies.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | BJP Poised to Govern 12 States Independently, Congress Presence Shrinks to 3
