Congress releases first list of candidates for Rajasthan assembly elections
The Congress Party released its first list of 33 candidates for the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections on Saturday. State Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will contest from Sardarpura, while former deputy CM Sachin Pilot will contest from Tonk. The state assembly elections will be held on November 25, and the counting will take place on December 3.
Why does this story matter?
Last Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for assembly polls in five states. Polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25, and Telangana on November 30. These elections are largely seen as a litmus test for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Notable Congress leaders on the list
According to the list, the President of the Rajasthan Congress Committee, Govind Singh Dotasra, will contest from Lachhmangarh. Another senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Assembly speaker, CP Joshi, will contest from the Nathdwara seat. It has fielded Divya Maderna from the Osian seat, and sitting minister Ashok Chandna from Hindoli. Minister of Child Empowerment of Rajasthan, Mamta Bhupesh, will contest from the Sikrai-SC seat.
Check out list of Congress's Rajasthan candidates
BJP released second list of 83 candidates for Rajasthan
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also released its second list of 83 candidates, with former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje contesting from Jhalrapatan. Rajendra Rathore is also in the fray from Taranagar. In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member assembly. Gehlot came to power with the support of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MPs and independents.
