The countdown has begun for the by-election in Anta, the state's sole assembly constituency. Intense campaigning by political parties commenced on Wednesday. Star campaigners from various parties will organize small rallies and roadshows to encourage voters to cast their votes in support of their candidates.
Baran: The political temperature in Rajasthan's prominent Anta assembly constituency by-election is now rising rapidly. As the polling date (November 11) approaches, the electoral battle is heating up with the fervent entry of star campaigners from Congress, BJP, and other parties. On one hand, Congress star campaigner Sachin Pilot is taking charge of the campaign from today, while Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will hit the ground on Thursday to build momentum in support of the BJP candidate through roadshows. Additionally, discussions about RLP supremo Hanuman Beniwal entering the fray have also made the contest a triangular one.
Congress's Strategy: Pilot, Dotasra, and Randhawa Enter the Fray
Congress has thrown its full might into the Anta by-election. Sachin Pilot, the party's National General Secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister, will conduct three major roadshows in the region on Wednesday. As per Congress's plan, Pilot's roadshow will commence from the Anta NTPC T-point, passing through various routes of the town. Following this, he will also hold roadshows and street corner meetings in Siswali and Mangrol.
State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and State In-charge Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa will also be present with Pilot. Both these leaders have been camping in the Anta assembly constituency for the past three days. Congress has assigned responsibilities to approximately 56 leaders across different areas for this by-election, to strengthen the campaign at the grassroots level. This ‘all-out campaign’ by Congress, in support of party candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya, has now gained full momentum.
BJP's Counter-Attack: Vasundhara-Bhajanlal to Hold Joint Roadshow
In response to Congress's aggressive strategy, the Bharatiya Janata Party has also decided to field its biggest faces. On November 6 (Thursday), Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will hold a joint roadshow in Anta and Mangrol. Vasundhara Raje has been continuously camping in the region for the past three days, meeting with workers and formulating strategies. Her son and MP Dushyant Singh is in charge of this by-election, and Morpal Suman, a candidate of his choice, has been given the ticket.
Raje's prestige is at stake on this seat, as this region is considered crucial for her political bhold. Additionally, BJP State President Madan Rathore, Deputy CM Dr. Premchand Berwa, and several ministers and MLAs are already camping in the Anta region. The party has assigned campaign responsibilities to nearly two dozen senior leaders.
Entry of the Third Front: Hanuman Beniwal Could Change the Equations
This time, the Anta by-election is no longer just a contest between Congress and BJP. Discussions in political circles suggest that National Democratic Party (RLP) supremo Hanuman Beniwal might also enter the fray on November 7. It is being reported that Beniwal will campaign in support of independent candidate Naresh Meena. Meena has also received support from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and former minister Rajendra Gudha is campaigning shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
If Hanuman Beniwal truly enters the campaign, this contest could become a triangular one, potentially changing the equations for both Congress and BJP. Polling for the Anta by-election is scheduled for November 11, 2025. According to the Election Commission, campaigning will conclude on November 9, while polling teams will depart on November 10. Thus, political parties now have only 5 days left to campaign in support of their candidates.
