Third Front Makes Strong Inroads in Anta Bypoll; Beniwal Claims BJP Faction Backed Congress — Who Stands With Naresh Meena?

Authored By: Sambrat Chaturvedi | Contributed By: Arjun Arvind | 15 Nov 2025, 2:27 PM

Baran (Rajasthan): The Anta Assembly by-election has sparked a fresh political debate in Rajasthan, with RLP chief and MP Hanuman Beniwal asserting that the Third Front has emerged strongly in the Hadoti region. According to Beniwal, independent candidate Naresh Meena, who was backed by the Third Front, trailed the BJP candidate by barely 100 votes. He further alleged that a faction of the BJP openly supported the Congress candidate, influencing the final outcome.

Beniwal’s Claim: “Third Front Rising in Hadoti”

Soon after the results were announced, Beniwal posted on social media that the bypoll had clearly shown the growing strength of a third political alternative in the region.
He highlighted that Meena’s narrow defeat — by just about 100 votes — demonstrates that the Third Front is gaining significant traction, posing a stiff challenge to both national parties.

Beniwal had actively campaigned for Naresh Meena, addressing rallies in Mangrol and even participating in a roadshow with him.

Who Else Is in This ‘Third Front’?

Independent candidate Naresh Meena had initially sought a Congress ticket. When denied, he began mobilizing support from leaders positioning themselves as the Third Front in Rajasthan.

Prominent leaders who campaigned for or supported Meena include:

• Hanuman Beniwal – RLP supremo, MP
• Rajendra Singh Gudha – Former Minister
• Sanjay Singh – AAP Rajya Sabha MP

Their combined presence has fueled discussions that this collective grouping may evolve into a structured Third Front ahead of future elections.

Third Front Poses a Tough Challenge to National Parties

Beniwal pointed out that in the 2024 by-elections held for seven Assembly seats, Congress suffered defeats in six, even losing deposits in four constituencies, including Khinwsar.

In Anta, Meena secured nearly 55,000 votes, which Beniwal described as a “clear message” that the Third Front is now capable of challenging the traditionally dominant BJP and Congress even in strongholds like Hadoti.

He added that the coalition seeks to unite Dalits, the oppressed, backward classes, and all marginalized communities, ensuring a broader base for upcoming elections.

“Results Show Mirror to the Ruling Party”: Beniwal’s Attack

Beniwal sharply criticized the ruling establishment, claiming:

• The results exposed the weakening hold of the ruling party in the region.
• A section of the BJP stood with the Congress candidate.
• The Congress candidate “won the election through money power.”
• Despite large sums of unaccounted cash reportedly being seized from the Congress candidate, the administration “remained silent.”

He alleged that “many people in power were working in favour of the Congress candidate,” resulting in what he termed a compromised electoral environment.

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