Rajasthan: BJP minister defeated by Congress rival in Karanpur bypoll

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Jaipur, Jan 8: Rupinder Singh Kooner of the Congress defeated Surenderpal Singh of the BJP on Monday, dealing a blow to the BJP in the Karanpur bypoll in Rajasthan. Rupinder Singh of the Congress received 90,098 votes and won by a margin of 11,284.

Congress objected Singh’s appointment as minister

Singh was appointed a minister in the recent Bhajanlal government expansion on December 30, despite being the BJP candidate in the Karanpur bypoll.

The Congress objected, arguing that Singh’s assumption of ministerial duties while remaining a candidate for the Assembly Bypoll violated the code of conduct.

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Congress fielded Kooner’s son Rupinder

On November 25, voters in Rajasthan cast ballots for 199 out of 200 assembly seats. The elections in the Karanpur constituency were delayed since Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Kooner passed away unexpectedly.

Ten days before the state’s elections, Gurmeet passed away, which is what led the Congress to field his son Rupinder Singh in the Karanpur bypoll.

The BJP in Rajasthan triumphed in the assembly election by winning 115 seats out of 199, whereas the Congress secured 69 seats.

Gehlot congratulates

Ashok Gehlot, the former chief minister of Rajasthan, congratulated Rupinder Singh Kooner, the candidate of the Indian National Congress, on his victory in the Karanpur by election.

“The people of Srikaranpur have defeated the pride of the BJP. 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,” Gehlot stated on Monday.