16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (2023) is an important topic under Rajasthan Polity that highlights the latest phase of democratic governance in the state. It explains the formation, election results, party performance, and leadership structure of the current assembly. Understanding this helps in analyzing recent political trends, voter behavior, and the present administrative framework of Rajasthan.
Profile of the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (2023)
Election results and seat positions:
- Total Assembly seats: 200
- The election in Karanpur seat was cancelled, so results were declared only for 199 seats.
- Election results: Declared on 3 December 2023.
Performance of main political parties
| Political parties | 2018 (Seats) | 2023 (Seats)(currently) |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 73 | 118 |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 100 | 67 |
| Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) | 02 | 04 |
| Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | 06 | 02 |
| Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) | 03 | 00 |
| Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) | 01 | 01 |
| CPI-M | 02 | 00 |
| Independents and others | 13 | 08 |
| Total Seats | 200 | 200 |
Specific:
- In the 2023 elections, the election in one seat (Karanpur) was cancelled.
Rajasthan Assembly Elections: Performance of Women MLAs (2018 vs 2023)
| Details / Party | Election 2018 (Women MLA) | Elections 2023 (Women MLAs) | Position (+/-) |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 10 | 09 | -01 |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 12 | 09 | -03 |
| Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) | 01 | 00 | -01 |
| Independent (Ind.) | 01 | 02 | +01 |
| Total women MLAs | 24 | 20 | -04 |
Key Points:
- Compared to 2018, the number of women MLAs has decreased from 24 to 20 in 2023.
- Equal number of women candidates (9 each) won from both the main parties BJP and Congress.
- The number of independent women candidates has improved in 2023 (from 1 to 2).
- In the history of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, women representation still remains below the 15% mark.
- 9 women candidates each from BJP and Congress parties were victorious.
Chief Whip
- The Chief Whip is a political leader who enforces the whipping system.
- Ensuring that the MLAs of a political party follow the instructions of the party leadership.
- To ensure the presence of MLAs during important meetings of the House and at the time of voting.
- To instruct MLAs on how to vote on a bill or motion, so that the party’s policies are followed.
Chief Whip
- First:Shri Mathura Das Mathur (July 1953 to February 1957).
- Second:Shri Haridev Joshi (September 1957 to February 1964).
- Other prominent names:Ram Prasad Lodha, Girdhari Lal Vyas, Khet Singh Rathore, Bulaki Das Kalla, Raghu Sharma, Kalu Lal Gurjar, Dr. Mahesh Joshi.
- Present (16th Assembly): Shri Jogeshwar Garg.
Deputy Chief Whip:
- First:Shri Ask Ali Tak (16 October 1985 to 6 February 1988).
- Other prominent names:Pankaj Pancholi, Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Rajendra Rathod, Madan Rathod, Mahendra Chaudhary.
First Secretary of the Assembly:Mansaram Purohit
