ANTA, RAJASTHAN: In a dramatic shift in voter sentiment, the latest trends from the Anta Assembly by-election show Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya taking a strong lead. According to the Election Commission of India, Bhaya has secured over 11,000 votes, positioning him prominently ahead of his rivals.
Independent candidate Naresh Meena is trailing closely with more than 10,000 votes, making the contest highly competitive. In a major setback for the BJP, its candidate Morpàl Suman has fallen to third place with a little over 7,000 votes, despite party confidence of retaining the seat.
High Voter Turnout: Anta Bypoll Registers 79.32%
The Anta by-election witnessed an impressive voter turnout of 79.32%, reflecting strong public engagement. A total of 2,27,563 registered voters cast their ballots across 268 polling stations, which were secured by local police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), especially in sensitive areas.
Despite early concerns about possible disturbances, polling remained largely peaceful throughout the day.
15 Candidates in Fray
The by-election, considered a crucial test for the Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government, has drawn significant attention. For Congress heavyweight Pramod Jain Bhaya, the contest represents a key opportunity to reinforce his political standing.
Anta, located in the Hadoti region—a traditional stronghold of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje—is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the internal power balance within both the BJP and Congress.
Candidates Contesting:
- BJP: Morpal Suman
- Congress: Pramod Jain Bhaya
- Right to Vikas Party: Yogesh Kumar Sharma
- Parivartan Party: Rajpal Singh Shekhawat
- Independents: Jameel Ahmed, Dildar, Dharamveer, Naresh, Naresh Kumar Meena, Naushad, Pankaj Kumar, Pukhraj Sonel, Banshilal, Bilal Khan, Manzoor Alam
The primary contest has evolved into a triangular battle between Congress, BJP, and Independent candidate Naresh Meena.
Exit Polls vs Reality
Initial exit polls and betting markets had indicated a slight edge for the BJP. However, the high 79% turnout has complicated predictions, with analysts suggesting that increased turnout could alter expected trends. While high participation often favors the ruling party, the final outcome will only be clear once all EVM votes are counted.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
