239 candidates remain in fray for first-phase polling in Raj

BJP rebels Jaswant Singh and Subhash Maharia are among 239 candidates who are in the fray from the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan that go to polls on April 17.
As many as 46 candidates withdrew their nominations in these 20 seats on the last date of withdrawal today, leaving a total of 239 candidates, including 17 women, in the fray.
Among those who withdrew their papers were 38 Independent candidates.
In six constituencies -- Bikaner, Nagaur, Sikar, Udaipur, Banswara and Chittorgarh, no candidate withdrew their papers, according to Joint Chief Election Officer P C Gupta.
In Jodhpur and Jaipur seats, seven candidates each withdrew their candidature, he said.

Prominent Congress candidates are state unit president and Union minister Sachin Pilot, Union ministers Girija Vyas (Chittorgarh) and Chandresh Kumari, AICC General Secretary and former minister C P Joshi (Jaipur rural).

Rajasthan Water Resources Minister Sanwarlal Jat is among the BJP candidates. BJP rebels and former Union ministers Jaswant Singh and Subhash Maharia are contesting elections as Independent from Barmer and Sikar constituencies respectively after being denied ticket by the party.
The 20 seats that are going to poll on April 17 are Ganganagar (SC), Bikaner (SC), Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Ajmer Nagaur, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur (ST), Banswara (ST), Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran.

Meanwhile, notification for the second phase of polling in Rajasthan (five seats) was issued today, and two candidates filed their nominations on the first day.
Last date for filing of nomination in the remaining five constituencies is April 5, and last date of withdrawal is April 9.
The five constituencies -- Alwar, Bharatpur (SC), Karauli-Dholpur (SC), Dausa (ST) and Tonk-Sawai Madhopur -- are going to poll on April 24.