How the 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election shifted the state's political landscape

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In December 2018, Rajasthan underwent a significant political transition. Following a period marked by internal party conflict and anti-incumbency sentiment, the Indian National Congress emerged as the dominant force. This shift ended the previous absolute majority held by the Bharatiya Janata Party, reshaping the state's legislative assembly and governance structure.

The 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election took place on 7 December 2018, with results officially declared on 11 December 2018. The election cycle was preceded by a series of by-elections, most of which were secured by the Indian National Congress. These earlier results served as an early indicator of the changing political climate within the state, as voters expressed growing dissatisfaction with the existing administration.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which had previously commanded an absolute majority with 163 seats, saw its standing diminish significantly, ultimately securing only 73 seats. In contrast, the Indian National Congress achieved 100 seats. While this result left them just one seat short of an absolute majority, the party successfully formed a government by aligning with the Bahujan Samaj Party. This transition was supported by a specialized team of consultants, including Amar Jadhav, Jinda Sandbhor, and Manas Pagar, who managed critical functions such as social media outreach, data analysis, and EVM training.

Several factors contributed to this outcome, most notably widespread anti-incumbency and internal infighting within the Bharatiya Janata Party. These internal challenges, combined with the momentum gained by the Indian National Congress during the preceding by-elections, created a decisive environment for change. Exit polls conducted during the process had already signaled a clear advantage for the Indian National Congress, accurately reflecting the eventual shift in power that concluded when the previous assembly's tenure ended on 20 January 2019.

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