Now Reading: 2m followers, 33 votes: Rajasthan influencer loses sarpanch poll
-
01
2m followers, 33 votes: Rajasthan influencer loses sarpanch poll
The Story in Brief
Rajasthan social media influencer Omprakash Bishnoi received just 33 votes in the 24 October sarpanch election despite having over 21 lakh followers across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. He contested from Indon Ki Dhani-II gram panchayat in Jodhpur district, which had around 1,600 eligible voters.
Bishnoi, known for viral food videos with generous ghee and who also describes himself as an astrologer and face reader, is president of a local cow shelter. After the result, he thanked voters and referenced the Hindi saying ‘there is darkness beneath the lamp’, noting that only 33 members of his own family voted for him. Counting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti member elections is scheduled for 20 November.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The four outlets uniformly report Omprakash Bishnoi's 33-vote tally and his 2-million-plus follower count, with Deccan Herald and India TV leading on the contrast between online fame and grassroots support. Times of India adds the irony of an astrologer who could not foresee his own defeat, while NDTV focuses on Bishnoi's graceful acceptance. All agree on the facts, making this a straight, wire-style coverage of a viral election result. No outlet questions the election process or the voter count, the story remains a human-interest curiosity rather than a governance issue. Counting for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls is set for 20 November, but Bishnoi's own race is already decided.
Coverage: 4 sources, 4 neutral
Sources (4): ndtv.com (neutral report), indiatvnews.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), deccanherald.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
Update, 27 October 2026: this story now draws on 4 sources.
