After 17 rounds of counting in the Rajasthan's Karanpur assembly seat, Congress candidate Rupinder Singh Koonar was leading with a substantial margin of over 9,700 votes against BJP minister Surendra Pal Singh.
According to the chief electoral officer, Koonar has secured 90,098 votes, while BJP's Singh trails with 80,379 votes. With only one more round of counting remaining, Koonar is on track for victory.
The voting for the Karanpur seat took place on January 5, and the results signal a significant shift in political dynamics. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra have already congratulated Koonar in anticipation of his impending triumph.
Surendra Pal Singh, who was inducted into the Rajasthan ministry after the BJP's win in the assembly polls, has a six-month window to secure election to the assembly following his ministerial appointment. However, with the current trend favoring Koonar, the Congress is poised to claim the seat.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed his views on the outcome, stating, "The people of Karanpur have broken the arrogance of BJP. Congress candidate Shri Rupinder Singh Koonar has won from there." He emphasized that the voters have the power to shape their representatives, regardless of ministerial appointments.
Ashok Gehlot added, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Congress candidate Shri Rupinder Singh Koonar for his victory in Srikaranpur. This victory is dedicated to the public service works done by the late Gurmeet Singh Koonar. The people of Srikaranpur have defeated the pride of the Bharatiya Janata Party."
Govind Singh Dotasra highlighted the public's response to what he perceived as flouting of the code of conduct by the BJP, stating, "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." He deemed the mandate as a rebuke to the BJP's perceived "dictatorship and undemocratic policy."
The election for Karanpur was delayed following the unfortunate demise of Congress candidate and sitting MLA Gurmeet Singh Koonar. In response, the Congress fielded Gurmeet Singh Koonar's son, Rupinder Singh Koonar, who appears set to secure the victory.
