How a student leader rose to challenge Rajasthan's political giants
In short: In 2018, Hanuman Beniwal launched the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party to champion farmers and youth. Once a member of the BJP, Beniwal's shift from a student union president to a significant regional force highlights the shifting alliances and intense political friction defining modern Rajasthan.
The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), meaning 'National Democratic Party', emerged as a significant third force in Rajasthan, trailing only the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Founded by Hanuman Beniwal on 29 October 2018, the party uses a 'Bottle' as its election symbol. Beniwal's political journey began as the president of the Rajasthan University student union, following a family legacy that includes his father, Ramdev Beniwal, an elected member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
Beniwal's path to leadership was marked by significant friction within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After being elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 2008 as a BJP member, he was eventually suspended in 2013 following his accusations of corruption against prominent leaders, including Vasundhara Raje and Rajendra Rathore. These disputes, which included allegations of corrupt dealings between Raje and then-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, catalyzed Beniwal's move toward independent political action.
The RLP has built its platform around the grievances of the farmer community, specifically focusing on irrigation, crop pricing, and loan waivers. This focus was solidified through several 'Kisan Hunkar Maha Rallies' across Rajasthan. The party's influence has led to significant shifts in alliances: it entered an alliance with the BJP for the 2019 general election, but later withdrew from the NDA in December 2020 to support farmers' protests against new agricultural laws. More recently, the party has moved toward the INDIA bloc and announced an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party for the 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Rashtriya Loktantrik Party
- Also: Wikidata — Rastriya Loktantrik Party · CC0
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