Goods worth Rs 92.68 crore seized amid bypolls, including illicit liquor

Rajasthan News: The model code of conduct has been implemented in the state due to the by-elections to be held on seven assembly seats in Rajasthan. Police and enforcement agencies in various districts have so far seized cash, illicit liquor, and other material worth Rs 92.68 crore. Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan informed that after the implementation of the code of conduct on October 15, efforts are being made to keep the elections free from the influence of money power. There are a total of 1,862 polling stations and 19,36,532 voters in the seven assembly seats.

Election security and seizure campaign

Flying squads, static surveillance teams and police agencies constituted by the Election Commission are continuously active. The highest amount of material worth Rs 76.07 crore has been seized by the state police. So far, Rs 4.22 crore in cash, illicit liquor worth Rs 5.52 crore, narcotics worth Rs 42 lakh, and precious metals like gold and silver worth Rs 1.2 crore have also been seized. These actions are being taken in compliance with the model code of conduct.

By-elections on seven assembly seats

Voting for seven assembly seats in Rajasthan - Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Deoli-Uniyara, Khinvsar, Chaurasi, Salumber, and Ramgarh will be held on November 13 and the results will be declared on November 23. Five of these seats have fallen vacant due to MLAs becoming MPs and two seats have fallen vacant due to the death of MLAs. Congress had four of these seats. The state assembly currently has 114 BJP, 65 Congress, three Bharat Adivasi Party, two Bahujan Samaj Party, one Rashtriya Lok Dal and eight independent MLAs.

Interesting contests on key seats

The contest has become interesting on Chaurasi, Khinvsar, Jhunjhunu and Ramgarh seats. There is a triangular contest between BJP, RLP and Congress in Khinvsar, where RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal's wife, BJP's Ratan Choudhary, and Congress' Revant Ram Danga are in the fray. On Chaurasi seat, BJP and Congress are challenging the influence of BAP.

Contest in Jhunjhunu and Ramgarh

Jhunjhunu is witnessing a triangular contest, where the BJP has given ticket to its rebel Rajendra Bhambhu. Congress has fielded Amit Ola, son of MP Brijendra Ola. In Ramgarh, after the death of Congress MLA Zubair Khan, his son Aryan has got the ticket, and Sukhwant Singh is in the fray from the BJP. Both the parties are focusing on Dalit voters.

Need for by-elections

These by-elections have become necessary due to various reasons. Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Deoli-Uniyara, Khinvsar, and Chaurasi seats have fallen vacant due to MLAs becoming MPs in the Lok Sabha elections, while Ramgarh and Salumber seats fell vacant due to the death of MLAs.