Political parties in Haryana have begun preparations for the upcoming elections in full swing. In a bid to win the polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to conduct rallies in every Lok Sabha constituency and organised the first rally in the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency on 18 June. The ruling BJP and the main Opposition party Congress are going head to head for political dominance and power ahead of the polls and political experts are of the opinion that the two emerge as main political rivals.
Other political parties namely Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and INLD have been making huge claims of forming the government on their own or playing the role of kingmaker in the state.
The Congress’ strategy to speed up its campaign and cover political ground in the upcoming polls will act as as a litmus test for the BJP. However, the Congress has been on shaky ground in the state in the past and seems aware that defeating the BJP is no mean feat. During Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Sirsa, Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s name was repeatedly used, leading to new political speculations that the battle on the cards might come down to the BJP and Congress in Haryana, leaving little room for other parties. Notably, Hooda has enjoyed a prominent position in state politics.
The JJP, the BJP’s ally in power, is facing obstacles on many several fronts simultaneously. However, party leader and Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala is claiming to contest all 90 assembly seats and 10 Lok Sabha seats. The JJP continues to face ongoing infighting in the party as several MLAs are believed to be upset with the party’s high command. As for the INLD, the party has been in political exile for almost two decades, but is leaving no stone unturned to prove regain political ground. Unfortunately for the party, it might not be able to position itself as a heavy hitter.