In a big blow to the ruling, Congress govt in Rajasthan, BJP has won big in the Zila and Panchayat elections in a convincing manner. While Congress has won 1713 constituencies in both segments, BJP has won 1833 constituencies, as per news agency ANI. Counting of votes went on till late night on Tuesday and the state election commission announced later that in Panchayat Samiti, BJP has bagged maximum seats, while BSP won three, CPIM has won 16 and Hanuman Beniwal’s RLP has won 56 seats. Additionally, more than 420 independent candidates won Panchayat seats. In Zila Parishads, the BJP has won 326 constituencies, while Congress won 250, CPIM won 2 and independents 18.
Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has congratulated the BJP candidates on her victory. “Heartiest congratulations to all the hard-working candidates of the BJP who won the Zila Parishad and Panchayati Samiti elections. Heartfelt thanks also to the people of the state, who have reposed faith in the BJP by denying the false claims of the Congress government,” Raje said in a statement. The polling to elect a total of 636 Zila Parishad members and 4,371 Panchayat Samiti members was held in four phases in 21 districts of Ajmer, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Dungarpur, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sikar, Tonk and Udaipur. The polling was held on November 23 and 27, and December 1 and 5.