On Sunday, the Congress party unveiled its second list of 43 candidates who will be contesting in the Rajasthan assembly elections set for November 25. One notable nomination is that of former chief secretary Niranjan Arya, who will be representing the Sojat (SC) constituency.
State ministers Govind Ram Meghwal and BD Kalla will be the candidates for the Khajuwala (Scheduled Caste) and Bikaner West constituencies, respectively. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Higher Education Rajendra Singh Yadav has been chosen to run in the Kotputli constituency.
Additionally, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas will be representing the Civil Lines constituency, and Minister of Industry State Enterprise Shakuntala Rawat will be contesting from Bansur. Notably, these ministers are known to have close ties to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Furthermore, Ministers Brijendra Singh Ola and Murari Lal Meena, both associated with former Deputy Sachin Pilot, are set to contest from Jhunjhunu and Dausa, respectively. It's important to note that Gehlot and Pilot have had disagreements regarding leadership in the state since the Congress came to power in Rajasthan in December 2018, with Pilot leading a rebellion in 2020 along with his MLA supporters.
During an October 20 public meeting held by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Dausa, both Gehlot and Pilot emphasized the importance of unity. Priyanka Gandhi, too, asserted the party's unity in Rajasthan.
Among the other candidates, Public Works Minister Bhajan Lal Jatav will be vying for the Weir (Scheduled Caste) constituency. Excise Minister Parsadi Lal Meena and Deputy Chief Whip of the Congress in the Rajasthan Assembly, Mahendra Chaudhary, are nominated for Lalsot (Scheduled Tribe) and Nawan constituencies, respectively.
Sukhram Vishnoi, Labour Minister, will be representing the Sanchore assembly seat. Revenue Minister Ramlal Jat will run in Mandal, and Tribal Area Development Minister Arjun Singh Bamaniya is set to compete in the Banswara-(Scheduled Tribe) constituency. All these ministers are considered to be supporters of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
The Congress has thus far announced 76 candidates for the Rajasthan polls. The first list, featuring 33 candidates, was made public on Saturday. The election results are expected to be declared on December 3. The Congress aims to secure continued governance through its accomplishments over the past five years and by leveraging the welfare programs initiated by the Gehlot government.
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