Hanuman, Ravan Together In Rajasthan Elections As Beniwal's RLP Allies With Chandrashekhar's Azad Samaj Party

Hanuman Beniwal-led Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) announced its alliance with Chandra Shekhar 'Ravan's' Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) on Thursday (27 October) for Rajasthan Assembly elections scheduled for 25 November.

The alliance between the RLP and the ASP is expected to have an impact on several legislative assembly seats. Beniwal's stronghold lies in the farmer and Jat community segments, while Chandra Shekhar has a strong presence in the Dalit community.

Consequently, the alliance could prove influential in these areas and pose a challenge to major political parties, such as the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Hanuman Beniwal, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaur, has also expressed hope for change in the youth and farmer sectors, and this alliance will drive that transformation. Currently, the RLP has three MLAs.

Till now, ASP had announced 17 candidates through two lists, while the RLP has not announced any candidate. Now, the leadership of both parties is working together to finalise the candidates and constituencies after seat-sharing discussion.

During a rally in Jaipur in 2018, ahead of the elections, Hanuman Beniwal, Kirori Lal Meena, and Ghanshyam Tiwari had come together on a common platform and announced the third front.

This coalition, which included the Jat, Meena, and Brahmin communities, was considered powerful at the time, though it did not significantly impact the election results. The collaboration between these leaders was short-lived.

The Congress party is reportedly considering forming alliances on a handful of seats. In 2018, the Congress left three constituencies to the National People's Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, and the RLP.

On the other hand, the BJP has not revealed any alliances with other parties in Rajasthan so far. It is anticipated that the BJP will contest on all 200 seats, like 2018.

Previously, the BJP had formed an alliance with RLP during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, the BJP's alliance with the RLP has now ended.