Congress candidate Rupinder Singh Kunnar emerged victorious in the Karanpur assembly seat by-election in Rajasthan, as declared on Monday, January 8. With Kunnar's win, the Congress party's seat tally in Rajasthan increased from 69 to 70, while the BJP holds 115 Assembly seats and forms the government in the state.
Rupinder Singh Kunnar secured the victory by defeating BJP candidate Surenderpal Singh with a margin of over 12,000 votes. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot extended his congratulations to Kunnar and dedicated the triumph to the public service endeavors of Kunnar's father and MLA Gurmeet Singh Kunnar. Gurmeet Singh Kunnar's demise during the Assembly elections in November 2024 had led to the postponement of the election in Karanpur.
"Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Congress candidate Shri Rupinder Singh Kunnar for his victory in Srikaranpur. This victory itself is dedicated to the public service works of Gurmeet Singh Kunnar. The people of Srikaranpur have defeated the pride of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The public has taught a lesson to the BJP, which flouted the code of conduct and morality by making its candidate a minister during the elections," said Gehlot in a tweet.
The Congress had raised objections with the Election Commission over the BJP's move, accusing it of attempting to manipulate voters by appointing Singh as a minister even before he became an MLA.