Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region, once considered a bastion of Left parties had an opportunity to regain some of its lost glory after Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) fielded Amra Ram from Sikar Lok Sabha seat. And how well it panned out. 

The 72 old peasant leader registered a glorious victory over his nearest rival, Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) Sumedhanand Saraswati by a margin of over 70,000 votes.

CPI(M)’s lone Lok Sabha nominee in the state got the backing by the Congress led INDIA Bloc which included Bharat Adivasi Party and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party.

The Congress and its allies were hoping to break the trend where the BJP led NDA swept all 25 seats in Rajasthan in 2014 and 2019. In 2014 and 2019, Congress and the Left’s combined vote share was 29 per cent and 38 per cent respectively, against BJP’s 46 per cent and 58 per cent.

In Sikar, this time too Ram was pitted against BJP’s two-time sitting MP Sumedhanand Saraswati, who was seeking votes with the claims of having built institutions, developing infrastructure, and improving water supply with the completion of several projects.
Amra Ram’s twin defeats in state Assembly elections, in 2018 and 2023 and defeat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, not helped caused this time round. 

Ram’s campaign was focused on advocating for the Left alternative, encouraging voters to support policies that prioritize people's interests and calling for the defeat of  the BJP. 

His campaign activities got support from important leaders of India Bloc in almost all places. He had filed his nominations on 26 March. During his nomination, Congress state President Gobindsingh Dotasera and Congress MLA Shri Rajinder Pareek were present along with CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat.

A massive rally was later held at the APMC Market Yard. The rally witnessed huge public support, where former CM Ashok Gehlot, sitting MLAs of Sikar, Chomu, Lakshmangarh, Neem Ka Thana, Fatehpur, as well as former CPI(M) MLAs Pema Ram and Balwan Poonia, former MLA of Khandela and others marked their presence.



Amidst enthusiastic slogans of "Modi Hatao Desh Bachao," the masses pledged to defeat the corporate-communal BJP, protect the Constitution, while implementing pro-people alternative.

All through his campaign, CPI(M)’s four-time MLA attacked the BJP on all fronts - corruption especially electoral bond, communal and divisive politics and its anti-farmer polices.

On 31st March, from public meetings addressing to voters covering more than 30 villages including Nani, Sabalpura, Gothra Bhukharan, Jhigar Chhoti, Kudan, Palthana, Rasidpura, Bhadhar, Savloda Dhylan, Seva, Amra Ram raised the issue of BJP’s corruption through electoral bond.

The farmer leader said, “BJP, who had promised to give 15 lakh rupees to each person by bringing black money from foreign countries, took thousands of crores of rupees in donation through electoral bonds, gave business to companies in return.”

He also stressed that, “Modi government made three black laws destroying agriculture and farming. The Joint Kisan Morcha then forced the government to take back all three farm laws by running a historic movement for 13 months,” reminded Ram.

In most of his speeches he questioned the issue of consecration of Ram Mandir just before the elections. He argued that the Shankaracharyas, who sit at the top, are saying that this is against religion. No temple is consecrated before its completion.

Ram’s victory in the Jat-dominated constituency was helped by the brewing Jat anger towards BJP in Shekhawati region. Farming Jat community, mostly poor, where aggrieved due to their poor economic conditions. 

The Jat community, which contribute heavily to the Indian Army, were unhappy with the Agniveer scheme. The death of 700 farmers during the agitation against the three-farm law tabled by the Modi government and allegations of sexual crimes on women wrestlers also led to a growing dissatisfaction among the Jats. Ram got the pulse spot on and made sure he covered every requisite during his campaign.