Rajasthan News

The cabinet meeting in Rajasthan on Saturday, presided over by CM Ashok decided to provide free dialysis facility to all the kidney patients in the state government hospitals from Oct 2. Moreover, the Cabinet approved the resolution for implementation of the National Urban Health Mission and establishment of seperate consumer affairs department and the draft of Rajasthan Trees Ordinance, 2013.

The EC on Friday announced the schedule for elections in 5-states; two-phased polls will be held in Chhatisgarh on November-11&19, while there'll be one-phase poll in Rajasthan (December-1), MP (November-25), Delhi and Mizoram (December-4). The Counting in all the states will happen on December-8. For the first time, EVMs will also have 'none of the above' (NOTA) option.

A day after the release of first list of 63 candidates for Rajasthan assembly elections, Congress on Wednesday declared its General Secretary CP Joshi -- a known detractor of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot -- as Chairman of the state's Election Campaign Committee. The Committee comprises of 66 members having seven co-chairmen including Union ministers Girija Vyas and Sachin Pilot.

As per a circular issued on Oct-4 to all government departments and district collectors in Rajasthan, it is mandatory to extract an undertaking from candidates seeking a government job to the effect that they do not smoke or consume gutka while in government service. State-level coordination committee for tobacco control had recommended the undertaking in November 2012.

Rajasthan recorded 72.87% voting on Sunday, the highest ever surpassing the 2003 average of 68.18%, with the highest polling percentage in the four districts of Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Sriganganagar and Chittorgarh, each of which recorded voting above 80%. While Marwar region's Nagaur had the lowest voter turnout at 65.88%, capital city Jaipur witnessed 72.0% voting.

According to various exit polls, BJP is set to make an impressive comeback in Rajasthan and comfortably retain Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The polls gave BJP 130-140 seats in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, while 121-128 seats in the 230-member MP assembly. In Chhattisgarh, BJP might have a slight edge of 1-2 seats over Congress, whereas in Mizoram, Congress would lead.

BJP on Sunday secured a landslide victory in Rajasthan, with the party, led by Vasundhara Raje, forming an absolute majority. BJP won 162 seats out of the 199 seats, beating the last best showing by any party -- a record held by Congress with 156 seats in 1998. CM Ashok Gehlot-led Congress got only 21, the worst by any party.

Following Congress's failure in Rajasthan, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Thursday blamed Gujarat CM Narendra Modi of tampering with the EVMs. Gehlot alleged that the EVMs used in the state polls, which were programmed in Ahmedabad, were tampered in a way to ensure every fifth vote, irrespective of the button pressed, was cast in favour of the BJP.

Following a massive win by BJP in the assembly election, Vasundhara Raje on Friday took oath as the CM of Rajasthan. Daughter of founding BJP leader Vijayraje Scindia, and sister of deceased Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia, the 60-year-old has been elected to the state assembly thrice and five times to Lok Sabha.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is popular for her extravagant lifestyle, has decided to give up her official bungalow. Moreover, the CM has also urged the state police chief to cut the number of her security personnel to half. This comes after recently appointed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal refused to use the official CM's bungalow.

A 20-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself with her dupatta on Monday, while in custody under Swarupganj police station in Sirohi district of Rajasthan. She was arrested in connection with the murder of a man. Following the incident, the Station House Officer (SHO) and a woman constable of the police station were suspended.

In a major blow to Lalit Modi, Rajasthan Cricket Association removed him as its president on Saturday. In a meeting, 23 of the 33 districts voted to remove the former BCCI vice-president. The RCA took the move to end its stand-off with the BCCI. Now, Vice-president Amin Pathan will take over as acting president.

According to Indian Meteorological Department, Cyclone Nilofar is likely to to hit western Rajasthan, especially Barmer and Jaisalmer, followed by northern Gujarat areas. Nilofar is likely to bring very heavy rain in Kutch area of Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast on Wednesday/ Thursday. And by Saturday, many places in Barmer and Jaisalmer may face dust storms followed by rains.