Congress Secures Decisive Victory in Anta Assembly Bypoll
In a significant political development, the Congress party has clinched the Anta assembly seat in Rajasthan's Baran district. The party's candidate, Pramod Jain Bhaya, emerged victorious, defeating his nearest rival from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Morpal Suman, by a substantial margin. Bhaya secured 69,462 votes, overcoming Suman who garnered 53,868 votes. The win is particularly notable as Bhaya also fended off a significant challenge from Congress rebel Naresh Meena, who stood a close third with 53,740 votes, as per the final figures from the Election Commission.
A Local Heavyweight's Triumph
Pramod Jain Bhaya's victory is largely attributed to his strong local presence and extensive political career. A three-time MLA who has also served as a cabinet minister, Bhaya's deep-rooted connection with the constituency proved to be a decisive factor. His proximity to former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot further bolstered his campaign, providing him with the necessary political backing and resources. In contrast, the BJP's candidate, Morpal Suman, struggled to gain momentum despite campaigning efforts by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and former CM Vasundhara Raje. Suman's relatively low profile in this high-stakes contest meant the BJP could not capitalize on its ruling party status.
Political Repercussions for the BJP and Key Leaders
While the Anta constituency represents just one seat in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, this loss is a setback for the ruling Bhajan Lal Sharma government. The BJP, which holds a comfortable majority of 118 seats, has been facing questions over its administration. The bypoll defeat adds to its challenges, coming shortly after the unexpected move of Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant back to the Centre, which had exposed friction within the state government.
For former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the outcome carries particular weight. Unlike during the previous Ashok Gehlot government, where she remained largely distant from bypoll campaigns, Raje actively campaigned for the BJP candidate in Anta, which falls within her core area of influence in and around Jhalawar district. The loss may now empower her detractors within the party to question her political clout in the region.
A Boost for Congress and Internal Dynamics
For the Congress, this victory is a much-needed morale booster. It allows the party to reinforce its narrative of the Bhajan Lal Sharma government's inexperience and helps stimulate its state unit. The win also strengthens Ashok Gehlot's position within the party, as the victorious candidate is considered his close associate. This comes at a time when the Congress, despite presenting a united front, has seen the emergence of a new faction under state president Govind Singh Dotasra and continues to navigate the well-documented antagonism from former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot.
The result marks a shift from the previous year when the BJP had won five out of seven bypoll seats in the state. With the Anta win, the Congress tally in the assembly increases to 67 seats.
The Perpetual Rebel's Unlucky Streak
Perhaps the most poignant story of this bypoll is that of Independent candidate Naresh Meena. This election marks the third consecutive year that Meena has rebelled against the Congress and lost. In the 2023 Assembly elections, he contested from Chhabra in Baran district as an independent and finished third. Earlier in 2024, he was denied a Congress ticket for the Deoli-Uniara bypoll in Tonk, where he again contested independently, securing nearly 60,000 votes and pushing the official Congress candidate to third place.
Meena's supporters argue that the Congress is apprehensive of his rise and deliberately sidelines him. Party leaders, however, cite his mercurial nature and history of public outbursts. With another defeat, Meena's quest for political vindication continues.
Origin of the Bypoll
The by-election was necessitated after the disqualification of sitting BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena in May. He was disqualified under the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951, after being found guilty in a 20-year-old case involving charges of assault, criminal intimidation, and damage to public property. Kanwarlal Meena is considered a close associate of former CM Vasundhara Raje.
