Naresh Meena & Atul Pradhan’s 'Dostana': A new political combination in Rajasthan?

In a bold and unexpected move, two political firebrands Naresh Meena of Rajasthan and Atul Pradhan of Uttar Pradesh appear to be forging a new alliance with the launch of the "JanKranti Yatra," set to begin Monday from Kamkheda Bajali in Jhalawar and culminating at Trikuta Mata temple in Kota on July 28. The development is being closely watched by political observers, particularly in Rajasthan, where caste equations have the power to change the election outcomes.

From political statements to grassroot mobilization

Naresh Meena had hit the national headlines after allegedly assaulting an SDM officer, a move that stirred controversy but also drew attention to his aggressive style of politics. A Congress rebel, Meena was a strong ticket aspirant in the 2024 Deoli-Uniara bypolls. Denied the ticket, he filed as an independent and secured the second spot with nearly 60,000 votes, outperforming the official Congress candidate Kastur Chand Meena, who lost his deposit. The seat was won by BJP’s Rajendra Gurjar with a comfortable margin of over 41,000 votes.

Atul Pradhan: gurjar face from western UP

On the other side of this emerging partnership is Atul Pradhan, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Saradhana, Uttar Pradesh. Known for defeating BJP heavyweight Sangeet Som in Meerut, Pradhan has roots in student politics and emerged as a surprise presence during the recent Gurjar agitation in Pilupura, Bharatpur. His vocal support for the Gurjar cause and ability to connect with the community have given him an unexpected resonance in Rajasthan, far from his home turf.

JanKranti Yatra: A new axis of meena-gurjar unity?

The optics of the JanKranti Yatra beginning in Meena-dominated Jhalawar and ending in Gurjar-stronghold Kota is no coincidence. With both leaders representing politically potent communities (Meenas and Gurjars respectively), the yatra is being viewed as an experiment in creating a new social alliance ahead of future elections in Rajasthan.

With the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly elections and future Lok Sabha battles on the horizon, the JanKranti Yatra could be the beginning of a longer-term strategy. Whether it remains symbolic or evolves into a lasting political formation will depend on how successfully Meena and Pradhan can convert their community mobilisations into structured political capital.