It is very evident now that the Congress has decided to fully stand by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana, as the party declared its names, many of them, hours before the last date for nomination ended on Thursday. Out of the 89 out of 90 constituencies, the Congress is contesting in the state where the BJP has been in power for the past 10 years, Hooda’s loyalists were allotted 72 seats, with the 19 going to others. In addition, if the ticket distribution did not lead to a demonstration outside the AICC, as it has happened in the past so far as Haryana is concerned, the credit should go to Ajay Maken, whose strategic and tactful handling of the situation was for all to see. In fact, Ajay had convinced the High Command to release the lists in phases, seven, perhaps, and the last one, where there were contentious seats, only towards the end, so not many got the opportunity to demonstrate at the AICC headquarters. In fact, the disgruntled leaders, also had left for their areas, and many out of them filed their nominations as Independents. The exercise has now commenced to persuade the dissidents to withdraw their names by September 15th, which is the last date of withdrawal and by a coincidence also happens to be Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s birthday. The Congress went about its task methodically and Ajay Maken’s homework on the basis of surveys and the data he collected, was instrumental while taking the final decision. The broad analysis of the Congress list shows that despite fierce infighting till the very end, the Central leadership stood by Hooda.
There are 27 Jats, who have been given the tickets, the same as last time, and other communities have been accommodated, depending on their winnability. The Punjabis, who have a population scattered all over the State, and have a dominant presence in many urban areas have been given six seats, as compared to two last time. This is where Ajay Maken could have played a role, since he is considered even by Rahul Gandhi, as someone, who takes up the Punjabi cause, given that they get ignored in many places, and thus need to have their voices in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. The difference in ticket distribution this time as compared to 2019 is that there were no quotas which were allotted to various state leaders going by the previous experience, where those who were selected by some of the top functionaries lost the polls. The instructions were to choose from the applicants and only identify those who had winnability on their side. Even though many believe that the Congress has an edge in the State polls, the High Command was not willing to allow any wrong choices to impact the outcome. At the last minutes, at Hooda’s insistence, many experienced leaders got the preference though there were many deserving candidates, who thus got overlooked. For instance, in Bawal (Reserved) which the Congress has not won in 32 years, Dr ML Ranga, was selected though the expectation was that Delhi University lecturer and young aspirant, Dr Teena Karamvir would get the seat. It is obvious that the party may have other plans for the likes of Teena and therefore she got overlooked. In fact, the Congress has fielded 12 women, more than any other party and this could help in the campaign. In deciding the seats, the party has accommodated the sons of Randeep Surjewala, Chaudhury Birendra Singh and some others.
The BJP which was also facing dissensions from those who have been denied tickets is also trying to sort out the differences. The issues across the State concern elementary matters related to job and existence. For instance, the slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, has Jai Pehalwan added to it, in view of Vinesh Phogat contesting the polls and her colleague, Bajrang Punia joining the Congress. The opposition to the Agniveer scheme, the farmer’s agitation and the wrestlers’ protests, shall be factors in the elections. The BJP is aware of this and has asked Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former boss of the Wrestling Federation to not open his mouth and refrain from giving statements that could have an adverse impact on party nominees. Brij Bhushan had stated that it was good that Vinesh Phogat did not win the gold medal at the Olympics, a remark, which was widely condemned, even by many in the BJP.
How could a sports lover speak like this and observe that it was good for the country not to have won the Gold in respect of Vinesh Phogat. In Haryana, it is being seen as pure blasphemy. The break-up of talks between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party too, has been welcomed by many in the Congress. However, what is not understandable is the decision of AAP to field nominees on all the seats. The question is that the party has negligible presence in the State from where Arvind Kejriwal hails, and why would it spend so much money and resources, knowing fully well, that the chances of victory of the nominees were very low. It is also a matter of debate whether the presence of the AAP candidates, most of whom would forfeit their deposits perhaps, would harm the Congress or the BJP. The outcome would determine how the people voted in the end. However, like always, Independents shall emerge victorious on some seats while smaller parties too may win a few in the contest which is largely between the Congress and the BJP.