A look at Rajasthan assembly elections 2013

Jaipur, Dec 1: The fate of 2,087 candidates in

, including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former chief minister BJP's chief ministerial candidate Vasundhara Raje, will be decided on Sunday by 4 crore voters. It will be a litmus test for the

to retain its power in the state in the face of a growing anti-incumbency against the UPA government act the Centre, also led by it.

One-hundred and ninety-nine constituencies in the state will go to the polls on Sunday. The election in Churu constituency was postponed to December 13 owing to the death of BSP candidate Jagdish Meghwal.

Of 4.08 crore voters, 1.92 crore are women and 17 lakh are first-timers

Polling began at 8 am in the state in 47,223 polling stations across the state. Of these, 10,793 have been marked critical. Among 4.08 crore electors, 1.92 crore are women while 17 lakh are first-time voters. Strict security was put in place to ensure that the polling went smoothly. Over 1.19 lakh police personnel, including 38,175 CRPF personnel have been deployed for the election.

Among the 2,087 candidates, 166 are women while one is a eunuch.

The Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates in all constituencies in the prestigious battle while the BSP has fielded 195 candidates. The CPI(M) has fielded 38 candidates while the CPI 23 candidates. The NCP has fielded 16 candidates while other parties have 666 candidates. There are 758 Independents in the fray.

Gehlot is contesting from Sardarpura, his home turf in Jodhpur district and his opponent is BJP's Shambhu Singh Khetasar, a Rajput.

Raje, on the other hand, is contesting from Jhalarapatan seat in Hadauti district and her opponent is Congress's woman NSUI leader Meenakshi Chandrawat, also a former MLA.

Other high-profile contests in this election:

PCC president Chandrabhan against sitting MLA Rita Choudhary and BJP's Saleem Tanwar at Mandwa

Chairman of National Commission for Women Mamta Sharma against BJP's Ashok Dongra at Bundi.

Assembly Speaker Dipendra Singh Shekhawat against BJP's Jhabar Singh Khara at Srimadhopur.

Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Krishna Poonia against sitting MLA of the BJP Kamla Baswa at Sadulpur.

Tainted and sacked minister Bharosi Lal Jatav ahainst BJP's Rajkumar Yadav at Hindon.

Wife of Mahipal Maderna, accused in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, Leela Maderna and the mother of co-accused MLA Malkhan Singh Vishnoi, Amri, Devi, 82, are also contesting from Osian and Luni seats, respectively.

The results will be declared on December 8, along with those of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

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