In Nagaur, Raje confidant Yunus Khan holds the key as BJP candidate faces uphill battle against Beniwal

“Beniwal aur Jyoti” – the contest between sitting MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) founder Hanuman Beniwal and his BJP challenger Jyoti Mirdha in Rajasthan’s Nagaur seems to have ignited public discussions across the Jat-dominated parliamentary constituency, with many at chaupals and tea stalls debating which of these two Jat faces will have the upper hand.

Beniwal is contesting the election this time as the Opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate following his alliance with the Congress, which was ousted from power by the BJP in the November 2023 Assembly polls. Former MP Jyoti Mirdha, who was earlier with the Congress, is the granddaughter of Nathuram Mirdha, an influential Jat leader.

Of the total nearly 21 lakh voters in Nagaur, there are about 6 lakh Jat voters – highest among the local communities. As the Jat votes are expected to be evenly split between Beniwal and Jyoti, the Muslim and Meghwal (Scheduled Caste) voters would play a decisive factor in determining the poll outcome in Nagaur. While the Muslim community accounts for about 3 lakh voters, there are nearly 5 lakh Scheduled Castes (SC) voters in the constituency.

Among the SC communities, Meghwals account for the largest chunk of voters. Both Muslims and Meghwals have been traditional supporters of the Congress.

Contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election in an alliance with the BJP, Beniwal had defeated the then Congress nominee Jyoti Mirdha by 1.81 lakh votes.

A BJP activist from Jayal town told The Indian Express, “This time, it is expected that Jat youth will support Beniwal and people above 35 years will support Jyoti. It is usually seen that youth vote in high percentage during elections. So, Beniwal is ahead. Moreover, Muslims don’t vote for BJP and SC