Jansangh-BJP holding sway in Kota-Bundi since long time

Jaipur: The Kota parliamentary constituency, located in the Hadauti region of Rajasthan, has seen a diverse political landscape since Independence. In the 17 Lok Sabha elections held here, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress have been dominant, with occasional wins by other parties. Since 2014, BJP’s Om Birla has held the seat. Previously, the Janata Party and Congress also secured victories.

The constituency’s political history began in 1952 with a Congress win, followed by Jan Sangh’s dominance from 1962 to 1971. In 1977, the Janata Party triumphed, but Congress regained the seat in 1984. BJP’s Daudayal Joshi, known for his grassroots campaigning, won thrice from 1989 to 1996. Subsequently, the seat alternated between Congress and BJP candidates, including members of the former royal family.

Since 2014, Om Birla, currently the Lok Sabha Speaker, has represented Kota, receiving BJP’s nomination again in 2019. The constituency’s electoral dynamics reflect a fluctuating balance of power, with no single party asserting long-term dominance.