Congress’s Anta Bypoll Victory Reshapes Rajasthan’s Political Landscape
The Congress’s decisive win in Rajasthan’s Anta assembly bypoll has reignited discussions about the state’s power dynamics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party’s candidate, Ramniwas Gawriya, defeated BJP’s Ruparam Saini by a significant margin, but the result carries deeper implications for key players—Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Hanuman Beniwal.
Ashok Gehlot’s Resurgence in Congress
For former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the Anta victory is a validation of his grassroots influence. Despite Congress’s 2023 assembly defeat, Gehlot’s ability to mobilize Gurjar and Meena voters proved critical. This win:
– Silences leadership doubts within Congress.
– Strengthens Gehlot’s claim that 2023 was an outlier.
– Positions him as Congress’s face for future elections, including 2028.
If Gehlot sustains this momentum, he could challenge the BJP’s dominance in Rajasthan.
Vasundhara Raje’s Waning Influence in BJP
The Anta loss is another blow to Vasundhara Raje, whose faction was sidelined in favor of new BJP leadership. Key takeaways:
– Jhalawar-Baran, Raje’s stronghold, didn’t back BJP.
– BJP’s central leadership prioritizes Modi-Shah’s model over Raje’s regional clout.
– Risk of factional rift if her loyalists remain ignored.
Raje’s future in BJP hinges on whether the party reconciles with her camp before 2024.
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma’s Leadership Test
For Bhajan Lal Sharma, the bypoll was his first electoral challenge as CM. The loss exposes:
– Factional divides between Raje loyalists and RSS-backed leaders.
– Weak OBC/SC/ST outreach compared to Gehlot’s caste-driven strategy.
– Urgent need to consolidate authority to avoid further setbacks.
Sharma must act fast to unite the BJP ahead of national elections.
Hanuman Beniwal’s Fading Relevance
RLP chief Hanuman Beniwal, once a BJP ally, saw his candidate secure negligible votes. This reflects:
– Eroding Jat support post-2023 election losses.
– Limited kingmaker potential without alliances.
– Possible political isolation unless he rebrands or merges.
Beniwal’s future now depends on drastic recalibration.
What Anta’s Verdict Means for 2024
The bypoll outcome signals:
✅ Congress’s revival under Gehlot.
⚠️ BJP’s need to address infighting.
❓ Raje and Beniwal’s uncertain roles.
With Lok Sabha polls approaching, Anta serves as a warning against complacency and a test of resilience for all players.
