Factional Tensions Rise in BJP: Singhvi’s Letter Sparks Controversy After Anta Bypoll Defeat

Baran, Rajasthan: Just three days after the BJP suffered a crushing defeat in the Anta assembly bypoll—the only constituency in Rajasthan to go for a by-election—internal party tensions have surfaced dramatically. Pratap Singh Singhvi, the second-most senior legislator in the state assembly, has written a letter to BJP National President JP Nadda, raising concerns over neglect and humiliation during the campaign.

Singhvi’s letter, which has gone viral on social media, details how he was excluded from the list of 40 party leaders assigned to campaign for the Anta bypoll. “I am the second-most senior MLA in the assembly, yet I was completely ignored. Even the Chief Minister’s roadshow, named ‘Vijay Sankalp Yatra’, included photos of junior MLAs on the posters, but my name wasn’t mentioned anywhere,” Singhvi wrote.

Internal Strife Exposed
The BJP’s loss in Anta has opened the floodgates to internal disagreements, tarnishing the party’s image in the region. Singhvi, a seven-time MLA from Chhabra and a senior BJP leader in Rajasthan, wrote to Nadda on 7 November, four days before the bypoll, expressing his grievances over the neglect he faced in his home district of Baran.

In his letter, Singhvi clearly stated that despite his seniority, he was sidelined during the campaign. While two junior MLAs were included among the party’s star campaigners, Singhvi was left out. He informed state BJP President Madan Rathore about this, but no corrective action was taken. Even though he was included in the election committee, he was not assigned any responsibilities. Moreover, the Vijay Sankalp Yatra promotional material featured junior MLAs Meena and Radheshyam Berwa, excluding Singhvi entirely. The letter concluded with Singhvi seeking guidance from the central leadership on this issue.

Reaction Post Bypoll Defeat
Following the defeat, Singhvi stated that workers were unable to communicate the government’s extensive welfare and developmental initiatives over the past two years effectively to the people of Anta, which contributed to the unexpected result. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, emphasizing that numerous welfare schemes continue to run effectively across the state. Singhvi asserted that the setback would not demotivate party workers in Hadoti, a BJP stronghold.

Significance of the Letter
Pratap Singh Singhvi is a senior and influential BJP leader, representing Chhabra as a seven-time MLA. His letter to JP Nadda highlights significant internal discord within the BJP in Hadoti, though no official response has yet been issued by the party.