The by-election, held recently, saw voter turnout near 80 percent, consistent with previous elections. Since its formation, Anta has seen a pattern of change, with BJP and Congress each winning twice. In 2025, Congress emerged victorious with a margin of approximately 8 percent, highlighting a swing of nearly 5 percent of votes from BJP to Congress.
Political analysts point to multiple factors behind the BJP’s defeat. The party’s choice of candidate, Morpal Suman, reportedly lacked local popularity, causing dissatisfaction among grassroots leaders. Additionally, voters expressed concern over unaddressed regional issues, noting that Morpal, despite holding local leadership positions, had not effectively facilitated development work. The campaign was largely led by senior leaders, including former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and CM Bhajanlal Sharma, rather than the candidate himself, reducing local engagement.
Congress, on the other hand, focused on crafting a clear narrative, framing the contest as “Congress vs. Naresh Meena,” effectively consolidating their vote share despite losing a portion of Muslim and SC votes. Independent candidate Naresh Meena, supported by groups such as RLP, AAP, and SDPI, emerged as a significant factor, securing nearly 30 percent of votes and drawing heavily from the BJP’s base.
Observers note that the by-election result serves as a cautionary signal for the BJP in Rajasthan, emphasizing the importance of strong local representation and attention to constituency-specific issues. Congress’ strategic approach and ability to capitalize on local discontent were decisive in its victory.
The Anta by-election underscores the continuing trend of electoral volatility in the constituency and signals the challenges ahead for BJP in retaining key seats amid rising independent influence.
