The Congress party on Thursday announced the renomination of outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Rajasthan, granting him a second consecutive term in the Upper House. The decision by the Congress high command to field Dangi again is being interpreted as an effort to bolster its traditional Dalit support base while preserving internal political equilibrium within the party.
Political Significance
Dangi is widely regarded as a close associate of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Party insiders have indicated that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge supported Dangi’s candidature for a second consecutive term, reflecting the leadership’s confidence in his ability to represent the party effectively.
Election Schedule and Current Strength
Elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan are scheduled for June 18, with counting to take place on the same day. The terms of Congress MP Neeraj Dangi and BJP leaders Rajendra Gehlot and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu will conclude on June 21. Based on the current composition of the 200-member Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the BJP is expected to secure two seats, while the Congress is likely to win one. A candidate requires 51 votes to be elected to the Rajya Sabha, and the existing numerical strength in the Assembly suggests that the BJP will win only two of the three seats.
This strategic move by the Congress aims to consolidate its position among Dalit voters, a key constituency in Rajasthan, while also maintaining a balance among various factions within the party. Dangi's renomination is seen as a continuation of the party's efforts to retain its influence in the state despite the BJP's numerical advantage in the Assembly.
