Lok Sabha elections 2024: Key candidates in Rajasthan's first phase of voting
Arjun Ram Meghwal and Rahul Kaswan
As the vibrant democracy of India gears up for its 18th Lok Sabha elections spanning from April 19 to June 1, 2024, the state of Rajasthan is voting in two phases. The first phase took place on April 19 where 12 constituencies witnessed an intense electoral battle.
The second phase of voting is underway on April 26. The votes will be cast to elect 25 Lok Sabha members in Rajasthan in the 18th parliamentary elections. The results will be announced on June 4. These are the constituencies that will be voting in the first phase - Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur.
During the first phase of voting, these are the key contenders:
Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP)
A seasoned contender, a Dalit face, and Law Minister of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal of the BJP contested the elections from Bikaner constituency of Rajasthan against Congress's Govind Ram Meghwal.
Arjun Ram Meghwal has been a stalwart representative of the Bikaner constituency and secured successive victories in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. His tenure has been marked by notable ministerial positions.
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Also Read |Lok Sabha elections 2024: Key constituencies in Rajasthan's first phase elections
During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he secured 62.84 per cent of the votes, while in 2019 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the minister won by a margin of 2,64,081 votes in comparison to the opponent from Congress Madan Gopal Meghwal. This time, in a match-up, Govind Ram Meghwal fought from the Congress ticket.
Rahul Kaswan (Congress)
The battleground of Churu went for a clash between Devendra Jhajharia of the BJP, a revered Paralympic gold medallist javelin thrower, and Rahul Kaswan from the Congress. Both are Jat leaders.Kaswan's recent transition from the BJP has injected an element of unpredictability into the electoral battle.
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With historical margins of victory under his belt, Kaswan's candidacy posed a formidable challenge to the BJP's stronghold in Churu.
Watch | Lok Sabha Election 2024: India's first time voter from Delhi speaks to WION
PM Modi has pitched the party's selection in the coming elections with the slogan - "Narendra ke Devendra" - translated to Narendra's Devendra.
(With inputs from agencies)