With just three days to go for the Baroda by-election, the prestige of stalwarts of all parties is at stake as the result will decide their fate to some extent.
Three father-son duos including Bhupinder Singh Hooda-Deepender, INLD supremo OP Chautala- Abhay Singh Chautala, and JJP leader Ajay Chautala-Dushyant Chautala are leaving no stone unturned to emerge as a winner in this battle.
Apart from this, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has to prove a lot in this election as the recent assembly election fought under his leadership failed to meet expectations for the ruling BJP.
In the wake of this, all will have to prove their mettle in the byelection to be held on 3 November 2020.
The newly appointed BJP president OP Dhankhar has been given the responsibility of the Baroda by-poll. Thus, in case he fails to fulfill the expectations, it may be a setback for Jat stalwart Dhankhar.
Likewise, the Congress party president Kumari Selja has to prove her mettle as the defeat is most likely to raise questions on her leadership in the state.
In wake of all this, the forthcoming by-poll is going to be an acid test for all factions and to decide the popularity of opposite parties along with its leaders. It is pertinent to mention that Baroda is considered the mansion of the Hooda family and the Congress party emerged as the winner in the last three consecutive elections.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal who remains in the good books of the party high command, also has to regain his lost popularity because losing the battle will put him in trouble.
In case the party fails to win the election under his leadership, it would make the party high command mull over the state leadership to some extent. Besides, each one is familiar with the fact that there are many factions in the Congress party, thus winning the poll would make Hooda’s position strong.
The INLD supremo OP Chautala and son Abhay continue to make all out efforts to win the elections. However, the party witnessed back to back defeats in the last four assembly polls and is still going through a critical phase. Thus, the INLD will get a boost if it wins in the bypoll or it gains a sizeable chunk of votes.