Creating an embarrassing situation for the saffron party, the ruling BJP’s former MLA Rampal Meghwal filed nomination on Tuesday for the November 11 by-polls to the Anta assembly constituency.
The ruling party has fielded Morpal Suman to retain its Anta seat that has fallen vacant following disqualification of the party’s 2023 winner Kanwar Lal Meena in an old criminal case. The rival Congress has reposed faith in its three-timer ex MLA Pramod Jain Bhaya.
With the presence of former Congress rebel Naresh Meena – who had contested three elections as a challenger, though without success – the contest was heading for a triangular tussle. Now, the surprising entry of Meghwal on the last day of filing nominations has given a twist to the poll equations, at least for now.
Meghwal had won the neighbouring Baran – Atru seat of the district on a BJP ticket by a margin of around 20,000 votes (2013 – 2018).
Therefore, scenario and situation in the poll-bound Assembly segment would be clear only by October 27, the last date for withdrawals.
At least 13 contestants have entered the fray for the November 11 battle of ballots. Scrutiny of the nominations would be done on Thursday.