The Khimsar constituency in Rajasthan has been the stronghold of Hanuman Beniwal for 16 years. However, this fortress crumbled in the recent by-election, with Kanika Beniwal, wife of Hanuman Beniwal, losing the seat. BJP’s Rewant Ram Danga defeated Kanika by a margin of 13,901 votes, marking the first time that the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) lost its grip on this constituency.
Khimsar’s Political History: The Beniwal Stronghold
The Beniwal family had dominated the Khimsar constituency since the first elections in 2008. For years, the seat remained firmly in their grasp, with the RLP consistently emerging victorious. This streak, however, came to an end in this by-election as the BJP wrested the seat away from them.
Vote Tally in Khimsar By-Election
Rewant Ram Danga, the BJP candidate, secured a decisive win with 1,39,901 votes, while Kanika Beniwal managed to garner only 94,727 votes. The Congress candidate, Ratan Chaudhary, performed poorly and could not even save his deposit, receiving just 5,454 votes.
Strategic Missteps by Hanuman Beniwal
- Controversial Statements and Arrogance
Hanuman Beniwal’s controversial remarks during the campaign backfired. His statements, including derogatory comments about women and his claim of Khimsar being his family’s invincible stronghold, alienated voters. He also referred to BJP candidate Rewant Ram Danga as “someone who presses my clothes,” a comment perceived as arrogant and disrespectful by the electorate. - Congress’s Choice of Candidate
Beniwal hoped Congress would field Durga Singh Chauhan, a candidate capable of splitting the Rajput vote bank. However, Congress chose Ratan Chaudhary instead, weakening the opposition’s impact and indirectly benefiting the BJP. - Durga Singh’s Defection to BJP
Congress’s decision to deny a ticket to Durga Singh led to his defection to the BJP. This brought a significant chunk of the Rajput vote bank into BJP’s fold, dealing a major blow to the RLP and Kanika Beniwal’s prospects.
