The political landscape of Rajasthan is set for a significant shift as the fate of seven assembly seats hangs in the balance. These bypolls, held across the constituencies of Jhunjhunu, Deoli-Uniara, Dausa, Ramgarh, Khinvsar, Chorasi, and Salumber, are scheduled for results on Saturday, with the counting of votes underway. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition Congress, as well as regional players like the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP).

This round of bypolls is being seen as a precursor to the upcoming municipal elections and a litmus test for the political strength of various parties in Rajasthan. The results of these elections will reflect the current political mood in the state and offer insights into the preparation of the parties ahead of the upcoming elections. With tight security measures in place, counting began at 8 am, as confirmed by officials from the election department.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Faces Critical Test
For Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the bypoll results will be viewed as a referendum on his governance, even though the BJP has only held one of the seven seats in question. The BJP, however, may be cautiously optimistic after its success in Haryana and the ongoing disarray within the INDIA alliance. This offers the party a glimmer of hope to upset Congress’ ambitions in Rajasthan.

Out of the seven constituencies, five were vacated when members of the INDIA alliance were elected to the Lok Sabha earlier this year. These included Brijendra Singh Ola (Jhunjhunu), Murari Lal Meena (Dausa), and Harish Chandra Meena (Deoli-Uniara), all elected to the Lok Sabha on Congress tickets. In addition, Hanuman Beniwal of RLP resigned from the Khinvsar seat after his own Lok Sabha victory in Nagaur. These vacancies have now set the stage for a crucial showdown in these assembly constituencies.

Dausa: A Key Battleground for the BJP
Dausa has been a region of particular concern for the BJP. After losing the Dausa Assembly seat in the 2023 elections, the party also failed to retain the Dausa Lok Sabha seat. The loss led to the resignation of senior BJP leader Kirodi Lal Meena as a minister in June. Meena had stated that his inability to fulfil the task set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it unacceptable for him to continue in his position. Despite the resignation, the BJP has not yet formally accepted it, and Meena remains embroiled in a political battle over corruption issues.

In this bypoll, the BJP is likely to field Jagmohan Meena, Kirodi Lal’s brother, or Shankar Lal Sharma. While Jagmohan Meena was previously elected from Dausa in 2013, he lost in the 2018 and 2023 elections. The BJP is now hoping for a revival in the region with fresh leadership.

Key Candidates in the By-Polls
The bypolls have seen some prominent names stepping into the fray, including:

Amit Ola (Jhunjhunu, Congress): A third-generation politician from the Ola family, Amit Ola, 48, is following in the footsteps of his father, Brijendra Ola, who represented Jhunjhunu for four consecutive terms before being elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024. Amit’s family legacy positions him as a strong contender in Jhunjhunu.

Aryaan Zubair (Ramgarh, Congress): Aryaan Zubair, 27, comes from a political lineage with both his parents having served as MLAs. His family has held the Ramgarh seat since 1990, either through Congress or BJP’s Gyan Dev Ahuja, making him a key figure in the race for this constituency.

Jag Mohan Meena (Dausa, BJP): Jagmohan Meena, a retired Rajasthan Administrative Service officer and the brother of Kirodi Lal Meena, is seeking to continue the Meena family’s political dominance in Dausa. If elected, he would become the third consecutive MLA from the Meena family in the Rajasthan Assembly.

Kanika Beniwal (Khinvsar, RLP): The wife of RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal, Kanika Beniwal, 37, is contesting the Khinvsar seat, which has been held by the Beniwal family since its creation. Her candidacy further strengthens the Beniwal political dynasty in the region.

Political Reactions Ahead of the Results
As the results draw closer, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed confidence in the INDIA bloc’s performance. Refuting exit polls that suggested a potential win for the BJP-led NDA in both Rajasthan and other poll-bound states, Gehlot stated, “If the exit polls are speaking against us, they were in our favor in Haryana. When the results start coming, we will know the situation. We are fully confident that the people have given their blessings to the India bloc. The INDIA Bloc fought the elections together, and the atmosphere is in our favour.”

This statement highlights the confidence of the Congress party, which is determined to retain its influence in Rajasthan and present a united front for future elections.

Rajasthan’s Political Future
The outcome of the Rajasthan bypolls will have significant ramifications for both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, as well as other regional players. These elections are seen as a precursor to future contests in the state, and each seat is being closely watched as a barometer of the political climate in Rajasthan. With high-profile candidates vying for key constituencies, the results will set the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral future.