Posters Celebrating BJP Candidate's Victory Feature Moustache Symbolism in Rajasthan Bypolls

The recent assembly bypolls in Rajasthan have linked the moustache with electoral success. After the results were announced, posters featuring a moustache appeared across Jaipur. This symbolised the victory of the BJP candidate, Revant Ram Danga, over Kanika Beniwal of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) by 13,901 votes. Kanika is married to Hanuman Beniwal, the RLP leader and Nagaur MP.

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar had pledged to shave his moustache if the BJP lost in Khimsar. This vow was made to rally support from Rajput and other communities for Danga. Following Danga's win, Khimsar expressed gratitude to voters for honouring his promise and preserving his moustache. Supporters celebrated this victory by placing moustache posters at various locations, including outside Khimsar's residence.

Political Dynamics in Khimsar

Khimsar is a stronghold of Hanuman Beniwal, who won the seat as a BJP candidate in 2008 and as an Independent in 2013. He later formed the RLP and secured victory in 2018. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Beniwal allied with the BJP and won from Nagaur. His brother Narayan Beniwal also won the Khimsar bypolls.

The RLP was part of the INDIA bloc for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, Congress contested the Khimsar bypolls independently, fielding Ratan Chaudhary, who garnered only 5,454 votes. The BJP's Danga, once close to Beniwal but later distanced due to party neglect, joined BJP with help from former Congress MP Jyoti Mirdha.

Role of Key Political Figures

Mirdha played a crucial role in bringing Danga into the BJP fold. She had joined BJP before last year's assembly elections and has been a long-time rival of Beniwal. Beniwal defeated Mirdha in both the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Gajendra Singh Khimsar hails from Khimsar town in Nagaur and serves as an MLA from Lohawat in Jodhpur. He managed BJP's election campaign in Khimsar, one of seven seats contested in these bypolls. The ruling BJP emerged victorious on five seats, while Congress and Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) each secured one seat.

The moustache has become a symbol of political triumph for BJP supporters following these results. Minister Khimsar stated, "I am thankful to the voters that they respected my vow. Me and my family have been serving them and will continue to do that." This sentiment reflects his commitment to constituents and underscores the cultural significance attached to his vow.