Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday held a roadshow  in Dholpur in support of the BJP candidate for the April 9 byelection.

Raje led the roadshow along with BJP state unit president  Ashok Parnami, as they passed through several bylanes of the town asking people to vote for the BJP’s candidate Shobha Rani Kushwaha.

Friday was the last day of campaigning and both the Congress and the BJP left no stone unturned to ensure their victory.  Since Dholpur is Raje’s home turf, the BJP is taking extra efforts to ensure the party’s success. While the saffron party is seeking votes on development and progress, the Congress is highlighting the government’s failure to seek votes.

The bypoll to Dholpur was necessitated after BSP MLA BL Kushwaha had to vacate the seat following his conviction and subsequent imprisonment in a murder case. Wanting to cash in on his popularity, the BJP fielded his wife Shobha, while the Congress nominated Banwari Lal Sharma, a four-time MLA from the seat and a former minister.

For the first time in the state, the Election Commission will  use Voter Verified Paper Audit Trial. Security has also been bolstered ahead of the polls  with the deployment of 2,000 policemen, two companies each of BSF and ITBP, and seven RAC to guard 232 booths. The fate of 15 candidates, including 12 Independents, will be decided by 1.92 lakh voters.