Bara, Rajasthan: As the Anta bypoll vote counting progresses, a clear trend is emerging in favor of Congress. Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya is currently maintaining a lead, and political analysts attribute this shift to the last-minute rally by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, which appears to have influenced the local electorate.
Gehlot Rally Changes Dynamics
In the final phase of campaigning, Ashok Gehlot’s rally focused on local issues and strongly supported the Congress candidate. The event reportedly swayed voters in the Saini (Mali) community, a segment that the BJP had considered its stronghold. By energizing both party workers and undecided voters, the rally helped Congress gain a decisive edge in several booths.
BJP had fielded Morpal Suman, a local leader from the Mali community, aiming to leverage community ties and caste equations. The party presented him as a low-profile, service-oriented candidate, a strategy endorsed by state president Madan Rathore. However, Gehlot’s presence and political influence reportedly outweighed BJP’s expectations in this voter segment.
Counting Progress
So far, 10 out of 20 counting rounds have been completed, with Congress maintaining a consistent lead over BJP. Data from the counting center shows:
| Counting Round | Pramod Jain Bhaya (Congress) | Morpal Suman (BJP) | Naresh Meena (Independent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3407 | 3135 | 316 |
| 2 | 7567 | 5266 | 6953 |
| 3 | 11203 | 7705 | 10131 |
| 4 | 13860 | 9659 | 14012 |
| 5 | 18613 | 12286 | 16684 |
| 6 | 23693 | 15988 | 18644 |
| 7 | 27575 | 18408 | 21586 |
| 8 | 29730 | 20816 | 24075 |
| 9 | 33472 | 23932 | 26633 |
| 10 | 37158 | 26932 | 29964 |
BJP Vote Base Erosion Benefits Congress
The BJP’s strategy to rely on the Mali-Saini community did not yield the expected results. A significant portion of this community shifted support to Congress, giving Pramod Jain Bhaya a clear advantage. Local Congress leaders claim that Gehlot’s rally not only energized their volunteers but also influenced undecided voters.
Final Rounds Could Still Change Outcome
While Congress appears to be in a strong position, 10 rounds of counting remain. Electoral experts caution that final results can still be affected by postal ballots and urban booth trends. All eyes are now on the remaining rounds to see whether Congress can maintain its lead till the end.
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