There were 166 women candidates and one eunuch candidate in the fray.
While Congress and BJP have fielded 200 candidates each, the BSP (195), CPI(M)(38), CPI (23), NCP (16), other parties (666) and Independents (758) including the Churu Assembly constituency.
Murder accused and jailed in the infamous Bhanwari Devi case Congress legislator and former minister Mahipal Maderna's wife Leela Maderna and co-accused legislator Malkhan Singh Vishnoi's 82-year-old mother Amri Devi faced triangular contests from Congress rebels from Osian and Luni Assembly seats respectively.
Ex-minister Babulal Nagar's brother Hazari Lal Nagar, who is in judicial custody, was challenged not only by BJP candidate Prem Chand Bairwa but also by National People's Party (NPP) and other rebel Congress leaders from Dudu seat. Sitting MLA Ramlal Jat, who had to step down as minister after he was accused in a sexual harassment of a women, contested from a new seat Asind of Bhilwara district against sitting BJP MLA Ramlal Gurjar.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP Dr Kirorilal Meena, convener of NPP which is not a recognised by the Election Commission, has recently told reporters that his party would play a vital role in the making of the next government in the state. The NPP has fielded 133 candidates and Meena himself contested elections from two seats - one in Sawaimadhopur against ex-royal woman Diya Kumari (BJP) and Congress' Danish Abrar and on Lalsot seat against Congress' Parsadi Lal Meena, and BJP's Virendra Meena.
Seventeen from Congress and 16 BJP rebels have challenged official candidates which might change the scenario in the state if no party gets a two-third majority.
