From Karanpur Congress candidate Rupinder Singh Kunnar defeated minister in the Bhajan Lal Sharma cabinet Surendra Pal Singh TT by more than 11,000 votes.
In an extraordinary move, TT was made the state minister with independent charge during the model code of conduct even before contesting election. Congress has raised objection on making him minister, which could have influenced the voter. He was given agriculture marketing, Indira Gandhi canal and minorities departments.
But the minister status failed to influence voters of Karanpur and they voted for Rupinder Singh Kunnar, son sitting MLA Gurmeet Singh Kunnar, who died ahead of the scheduled assembly elections in Rajasthan. That had postponed the elections in Karanpur.
BJP's Karanpur masterstroke turned bad ploy
When BJP candidate from Karanpur Surendra Pal Singh TT was unexpectedly made minister even before contesting election, political analyst called it a masterstroke sealing victory before hand. But sympathy for Gurmeet Singh Kunnar played up for his son Rupinder Singh Kunnar.
Voters took the BJP move as over confidence of BJP government and votes against it. BJP state president C P Joshi said that the party will review the reasons behind defeat.
The Rajasthan assembly has 115 MLAs from BJP and Congress had 69 seats. Now with this victory Congress will have 70 MLAs.
For the first time MLA turned chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, this defeat is an eye opener and he will have to quickly implement the “Modi ki Guarantee' before the parliamentary elections.
TT may have to resign
Even after defeat Surendra Pal Singh TT still can work as minister till six months. And if BJP decides to keep him as minister then the party may ask any sitting MLA to resign and TT may contest and win from that seat. But this is the remotest possibility. In a day or two, TT may resign on moral grounds.
Surendra Pal Singh TT, 71, had been MLA and minister twice during Vasundhara Raje government. He has been made minister even before contesting election. But the defeat will end his political journey.
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