campaigning-gears-up-for-bypolls-in-7-seats-of-rajasthan

Both the BJP and Congress are vigorously campaigning for the seven assembly seats in Rajasthan, where by-elections are scheduled for November 13.

 

The contest has become particularly intense in four seats—Chaurasi, Khinvsar, Jhunjhunu, and Ramgarh—where traditional political dynamics are shifting.

 

In Khinvsar, a Jat-dominated constituency, the battle is between BJP's Ratan Chaudhary, Congress’s Revant Ram Danga, and Kanika Beniwal, wife of Rashtriya Loktantrik Party leader Hanuman Beniwal.

 

In Chaurasi, both BJP and Congress are working to diminish the influence of the Bhartiya Adivasi Party (BAP), which has outperformed both national parties in recent state and Lok Sabha elections.

 

According to a BJP leader, RSS workers are canvassing door-to-door to attract voters. The BJP has fielded Kari Lal, while Congress and BAP have chosen Mahesh Roat and Anil Katara, respectively.

 

Jhunjhunu is witnessing a triangular contest. The BJP has nominated its rebel candidate, Rajendra Bhambu, while Congress has fielded Amit Ola, the son of MP Brijendra Ola.

 

 Former minister Rajendra Singh Gudha and Azad Samaj Party leader Ameen Maniyar are challenging Congress’s hold on the seat. Gudha had served as a minister in Ashok Gehlot’s government.

 

Political analysts believe that the Congress is likely to gain sympathy votes in Ramgarh following the death of its MLA Zubair Khan.

 

 However, BJP’s Sukhvant Singh is expected to give a tough fight due to his vigorous campaigning and strong public image. Congress has nominated Khan's son, Aryan, for the seat.

 

Both parties are also focusing on Dalit voters. Singh had secured significant Dalit community votes in the last assembly election when he contested as an Azad Samaj Party candidate.

 

The remaining seats in Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, and Salumber will also hold by-elections. The counting will take place on November 23.

 

Of the seven seats, four were previously held by Congress, with the BJP, BAP, and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party each holding one. 

 

The by-election in Salumber is due to the death of BJP MLA Amritlal Meena. The other five seats became vacant as their representatives were elected to Parliament in the Lok Sabha elections.

 

Currently, the 200-seat state assembly has 114 BJP MLAs, 65 Congress MLAs, three from BAP, two from BSP, one from Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and eight Independent MLAs.