As Haryana gears up to vote for a new Assembly on Saturday, the political landscape is buzzing with a diverse array of candidates—1,031 in total—ranging from industrialists and sportspersons to dynastic politicians and turncoats. The upcoming elections are set against a backdrop of recent political dramas that have captured public attention and raised significant issues for voters to consider.
A Political Melting Pot
The state has been under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2014, but the path to this election has been anything but smooth. High-profile incidents, such as the ban on then Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala from entering certain villages for not supporting protesting farmers, the exit of Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister in March, and the controversial entry of wrestler Vinesh Phogat into politics, have added drama to the electoral mix. Additionally, former Congress leader Ashok Tanwar made headlines by returning to the Congress party just hours after campaigning for the BJP.
With pressing issues like unemployment, the Agnipath scheme, ongoing wrestlers’ protests, farmers’ agitation, and evolving caste dynamics, this election is anticipated to be highly engaging and crucial for the future of the state.
Spotlight on Sportspersons
Haryana is renowned for producing world-class athletes, and this election features several notable sportspersons stepping into the political arena. The Congress party has nominated Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian, in the Julana constituency. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has chosen Kavita Dalal, a gold medalist at the South Asian Games and India’s first woman WWE participant, to contest in her constituency. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Deepak Hooda, a former Indian kabaddi captain and Asian Games bronze medalist, in Meham.
Another intriguing candidate is Arti Singh Rao, the daughter of Rao Inderjit Singh, who recently switched from the BJP to Congress. Arti is an international shooter contesting on a BJP ticket from Ateli, adding another layer of complexity to the election narrative.
The Return of ‘Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram’
The phrase “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram,” which signifies political turncoats, has resurfaced prominently during this election cycle. In the lead-up to the elections, numerous politicians have shifted allegiances in hopes of securing party tickets. For instance, Kiran Choudhry, a sitting MLA from Tosham, ended her long-standing association with Congress to join the BJP, bringing her daughter, Shruti Chaudhary, along, who is now contesting as a BJP candidate in Tosham.
The trend of political reshuffling continues with the return of Rao Birender Singh and his son Brijendra to Congress after resigning from the BJP. Brijendra, who was a former MP from Hisar, is now contesting the assembly elections for Congress in Uchana Kalan.
In a surprising twist, four sitting MLAs from Dushyant Chautala’s JJP—Jogiram Sihag, Anoop Dhanak, Ram Kumar Gautam, and Devender Singh Babli—have recently joined the BJP, with three of them contesting the elections under the BJP banner.
Dynasty Politics Takes Center Stage
Dynasty politics is a prominent theme in the Haryana assembly elections, with numerous candidates emerging from political families. Brijendra Singh is set to contest against Dushyant Chautala in Uchana Kalan. In Tosham, cousins Shruti Chaudhary and Anirudh Chaudhary are running against each other. In Rania, Ranjeet Chautala and his grandnephew Arjun Chautala are also vying for votes.
Further examples include Digvijay Chautala, Aditya Chautala, and Amit Sihag, who are all related and competing in the Dabwali constituency. Bhavya Bishnoi, grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal and son of Kuldeep Bishnoi, represents the BJP in Adampur, while Kuldeep’s brother Chander Mohan is contesting for Congress in Panchkula.
Conclusion
The Haryana Assembly elections in 2024 promise to be a thrilling affair, characterized by a mix of dynastic legacies, emerging sportspersons, and the dynamic shifts of political turncoats. As the electorate prepares to cast their votes, the outcomes of these elections will significantly influence Haryana’s political landscape and address pressing issues that have resonated with the public.