Jaipur, Dec 06: Over nine per cent negative swing in its votes caused a humiliating defeat to Congress in the Rajasthan Assembly polls, according to the analysis of voting percentage. The Congress, that won 153 seats in the 200-member House in 1998 garnering 44.87 per cent of votes, sufferred huge losses in its base as its polling percentage dipped to 35.65 per cent in December 1 polls which gave it only 56 seats.

Springing a surprise, the BJP secured absolute majority in Rajasthan House for the first time, bagging 39.35 per cent of votes and winning 120 seats.

In 1998, BJP votes registered a negative swing of 8.34 per cent that cost it not only its government, led by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, but also left it with only 33 seats.
The Bahujan Samaj Party contested 124 seats this time and increased its vote share to 3.94 per cent from 2.16 per cent in 1998 maintaining its tally of two wins in the House.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) which contested 50 seats, won four seats grabbing 2.31 per cent votes.

Others had to contend with less than one per cent votes as only Lok Jan Shakti Party and Rajasthan Samajik Nyaya Manch (Social Justice Front) could win one seat each.

Bureau Report