Baran: The Anta assembly by-election in Rajasthan has transformed into a high-stakes triangular contest, placing the reputations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress squarely on the line, with former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s influence under intense scrutiny.
Polling is slated for November 11 amid tight security, with results expected on November 14. The seat, carved out in 2008, marks its fifth electoral battle. The vacancy arose after BJP’s previous victor, Kanwar Lal Meena, was disqualified following a two-decade-old criminal conviction carrying over two years’ imprisonment. Of the 228,000 voters — 116,783 men, 111,477 women, and four from the third gender — none appear swayed by a clear wave, as vocal locals prioritise development and farmers’ woes.
The BJP has banked on Morpal Suman, a local gram pradhan and kirana shop owner handpicked by Raje, whose son Dushyant now represents the area in Parliament. Raje has assembled her core team here, highlighting the crucial nature of the poll for her faction. To project unity, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma joined Raje for a joint roadshow, countering reports of internal sabotage.
Congress counters with Pramod Jain Bhaya, a two-term legislator and Gehlot-era minister, leveraging his track record in uplifting this backward region through active grassroots engagement. Former CM Ashok Gehlot is set to rally voters on the final day.
Complicating the fray is independent Naresh Meena, a youth icon backed by the Meena community, the Aam Aadmi Party, and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party’s Hanuman Beniwal. His appeal threatens to syphon votes from both majors, turning the duel into a deadlock.
As candidates claim victory — Suman touting his “local roots” against “outsiders”— Anta’s outcome could ripple through Rajasthan’s fractured politics, exposing fissures or forging fragile alliances.