The Congress party has announced former minister Pramod Jain Bhaya as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Anta assembly constituency of Baran district, while this preemptive move by Congress aims to gain a strategic advantage over the BJP, which is yet to declare its nominee. Pramod Jain Bhaya had previously lost to BJP's Kanwarlal Meena in the. 2023 assembly elections, but the party has shown renewed faith in his candidature.
Anticipating a Tri-Cornered Battle
The by-election promises to be an intriguing contest, while naresh Meena has already declared his intention to run as an independent candidate from Anta and is scheduled to file his nomination on October 14. This development sets the stage for a likely tri-cornered battle in the constituency, while the BJP is also gearing up to announce its candidate soon.
BJP's Contenders and Strategy
Within the BJP, former minister Prabhulal Saini is considered among the strongest contenders. The party is also reportedly considering a candidate from Kanwarlal Meena's family, with his wife, Bhagwati Meena, being a potential choice, playing a 'sympathy card'. On top of that, former district presidents Anand Garg and Nandlal Suman are also staking their claim, opposing any 'outsider' candidate, while the BJP has appointed MP Damodar Agarwal as the in-charge for the Anta by-election. A core committee meeting is expected soon to discuss ticket distribution, after which the report will be sent to the Central Election Committee (CEC) for final approval, while
Voter Demographics and By-Election History
At the time of draft publication, the Anta assembly constituency had 2,26,227 voters. Following an update campaign, 1,336 new voters have been added, bringing the total to 2,27,563. Since the formation of the BJP government, seven by-elections have been held in the state, with the BJP winning five of them, while Congress secured only one. This Anta by-election presents an opportunity for BJP to maintain its winning streak, while
Impact on Government Perception
While the outcome of the Anta by-election won't directly impact the stability of the government, it will Notably influence public perception of the government's performance. A victory for the BJP would be presented as a public endorsement of the government's. Work, whereas a defeat would provide an opportunity for the opposition to intensify its attacks. There's also a possibility of RLP forming new equations by bringing Naresh Meena into their fold.
