Rajasthan assembly polls: BJP surges ahead of Cong

Jaipur, Dec 3 (PTI) The BJP crossed the halfway mark in Rajasthan with its candidates leading in 100 seats while the Congress was ahead in 68, according to Election Commission trends available on Sunday for the assembly polls in Rajasthan.

The Bharat Adivasi Party and independents were ahead in five seats each while the BSP and CPIM in two each. The RLD, and Aazad Samaj Party were ahead in one seat each, according to the EC.

As the trends poured in, BJP candidate from Kota north Prahlad Gunjal said that the BJP is going to form the government.

“Rajasthan has given the mandate and the picture will become clear in sometime,” he said.

When asked who will be the CM, he said, “This will be decided by the party high command. We have big leaders like Vasundhara Raje and we need not bring from outside.”

Gunjal is contesting against parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal.

Counting of votes polled in the November 25 assembly elections in Rajasthan got underway at 8 am amid tight security arrangements.

Postal ballots are being counted first which will be followed by the counting of votes polled through Electronic Voting Machines.

A total of 36 counting centres have been set up 199 of the state’s 200 assembly constituencies which went to poll. Election to the Sriganganagar’s Karanpur seat was postponed due to the death of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.

As many as 1,862 candidates are in the fray for 199 seats.

While 30 election districts have one counting centre, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Nagaur have two centres each. “All District Election Officers, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to strictly follow the security protocol at the counting centre,” CEO Gupta said.

He said that three-tier security arrangements have been ensured at the counting venue and only those with authorised passes would be able to enter.

“Separate counting halls have been made for each assembly seat at the counting centre, where as per the instructions of the Commission, tables have been arranged for counting of postal ballots and EVMs,” he said.