Jaipur (Rural) is a comparatively new parliamentary constituency, brought into existence by the delimitation exercise in 2008. Currently, it has eight legislative assembly segments under it, including Kotpuli, Viratnagar, Shahpura, Phulera, Jhotwera, Amber, Jamwa Ramgarh and Bansur.
In 2014, the dominant Modi wave had brought Rajyavardhan Rathore to power, as he defeated INC candidate Lal Chand Kataria, who had won the seat in 2009. This time, the sitting MP is also minister with independent charge of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and sports, and is poised for a close fight again.
[flexiblemap src=”http://data.opencity.in/Data/Rajasthan-Parliament-Constituency-Jaipur-Rural-Map-V-1.kml” width=”100%” height=”400px” ]
Note – Map for representation purpose | Source – http://datameet.org
The 2014 Lok Sabha elections
In the last elections, Jaipur (rural) had 1,699,462 electors, among which 1,013,691, or 59.65% turned up to vote. Of these, 554,084, or 61.14% were male voters, and 459,607, or 57.94 % were female.
| Electors | Voters | Percentage | Male voters | Percentage of male voters | Female voters | Percentage of female voters |
| 1,699,462 | 1,013,691, | 59.65% | 554,084, | 61.14 % | 459,607 | 57.94 % |
Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Rajasthan
Party share of votes in 2014
| Candidates | Party | Votes | Vote share % |
| Rajyavardhan Rathore | BJP | 6,32,930 | 62.28% |
| Dr C.P. Joshi | INC | 3,00,034 | 29.52% |
| Navin Pilania | NPEP | 31,617 | 3.11% |
| NOTA | None of the above | 11,533 | 1.13% |
Source: ECI
Know Your Candidates
Rajyavardhan Rathore, BJP
The BJP candidate in the 2014 elections, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, made his debut MP win, riding on the Modi wave. He vanquished the incumbent MP at the time, the INC’s Lalchand Kateria, at ease. This time too, Rathore’s track record as sportsman and army Colonel has built up his image.
Pic: Facebook page
- Age: 49 years
- Edu: B.A. from Khadakwasla in 1989 through NDA (Jawahar Lal Nehru University)
- Background: Professional sportsman and ex-serviceman
- Address: C-26, Vaishali Marg, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur
- Tel: 09460996611, 09958000058
- Website
- Email: rathorebjp@gmail.com
- Awards: Padma Shri and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
- Criminal cases: None
Positions held
- 3 September 2017 onwards: Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- 9 November 2014 – 3 September 2017: Union Minister of State, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- 1 September 2014 – 9 November 2014: Member, Standing Committee on Defence
Sources: Lok Sabha
Assets and Liabilities
| Year | Assets | Liabilities |
| 2019 | Rs 12,78,08,070
(Movable: 9,61,78,060.53 Immovable: 3,16,30,000 ) |
Nil |
| 2014 | Rs 8,37,34,044
(Movable: 6,68,29,391.91 Immovable: 1,69,04,650) |
Rs 1,17,065 |
Sources: myneta.info
Record in Parliament
As an MP, Rathore’s attendance was high at 94%, while the state average was only 88%. However, he participated in just one debate, asked only six questions and passed no private bill.
MP in the news
Rajyavardhan Rathore was an ace shooter – a silver medal Olympian and a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist in shooting. He is also a retired colonel. Viewed as a young candidate, he is pulling out all stops to promote his party and his work. He claims that he has started army recruitment camps, along with pre-recruitment training for the youth. He also says that he has provided drinking water to people and has encouraged sports, having built 17 stadia. According to him, his biggest strength is meeting people regularly. Some social media plaudits have appreciated his work as Sports Minister.
Recently, Rajyavardhan Rathore came under attack by ex-servicemen, when he claimed that as an ex-armyman, he “knew” that the UPA government had not conducted six surgical strikes. Calling him an “absolute disgrace”, a veteran slammed him for having lived a “cushy life” and playing regimental sports rather than serving the army.
According to reports, the MPLAD funds recommended by Rathore was Rs 28.28 crore, but the expenditure incurred was 19.38%. The percentage of funds utilised over those released was 108.72%.
However, people on the ground debunk his claims as false, including the ‘facts’ put up in the MPLAD fund chart as well as the propaganda charts. Nothing has been supplied by Rathore, including drinking water, education and electricity facilities, claim Rozda villagers.
Krishna Poonia, INC
INC pitched another sportstar, Krishna Poonia, who is a first-time sitting MLA from Sadulpur. She is also a 2010 Commonwealth gold medal discus thrower. (Watch here). Though she is an underdog, she has the caste factor in her favour in a Jat-dominated constituency.
Pic: Facebook page
- Age: 41
- Education: Graduate
- Profession: Retired, social worker
- Address: Village Gagadwas, Tehsil Rajgarh, Dist Churu – 331023
- Tel: 9799049999
- Email: kpoonia75@yahoo.com
- Awards: Commonwealth gold medal, Padma Shri, Olympics participant
- Criminal cases: None
| Year | Assets | Liabilities |
| 2014 | Rs 3,59,99,524
(Movable: 1,87,49,524 Immovable: 1,72,50,000) |
Rs 44,05,010 |
Source: MyNetainfo
It has only been a year since Krishna Poonia won the Assembly elections. However, she launched a scathing attack on the sitting MP Rathore in her campaign trail, accusing him of not delivering on the promises he had made to people. She also raised the issue of high accident incidence on the Delhi-Jaipur national highway over the past few years.
Full List of Candidates
| Candidate | Party | Symbol |
| KRISHNA POONIA, 41, Graduate, Retired, Social worker | Indian National Congress |
Hand |
| COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE, 49, BA, Professional Sportsman and Ex-Serviceman | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Lotus |
| VIRENDER SINGH BIDHURI, 50, Literate, Business | Bahujan Samaj Party | Elephant |
| RAJENDRA KUMAR, 43, B.Ed, Private Job and Social Worker | Ambedkarite Party of India |
Coat |
| RAM NIWAS NENAWAT MEGHAWAL, 48, Literate, Wages | Bharat Rakshak Party (Democratic) |
Bat |
| BANWARI LAL MEENA, 34, B.A., Bank Recovery Agency | Independent | Tractor Chalata Kisan |
| RAMSINGH KASANA, 41, 10th Pass, Transport Business | Independent | Sewing Machine |
| VINOD SHARMA, 53, MCom and LLB, Advocate | Independent | Key |
A comparison chart shows that of the eight candidates, the highest declared assets of Rs 12 crore belongs to Rajyavardhan Rathore, while the lowest assets declared are Rs 7 lakh. There is only one woman from the INC in the list. In terms of age, candidates fall in the middle-aged category, with the youngest being 34, while the oldest is 53.