In a significant political shift, Shakti Rani Sharma of the BJP has emerged victorious from the Kalka assembly constituency in Haryana, a seat long considered a Congress stronghold. Her victory marks a critical win for the BJP, which has been determined to reclaim the constituency, further solidifying its presence in Haryana politics.
Sharma defeated sitting Congress MLA Pardeep Chaudhary by a convincing margin of 10,883 votes, garnering 60,612 votes (41.53%) of the total polled votes. Chaudhary, who was once seen as a formidable contender, could only muster 49,729 votes. Independent candidate Gopal Sukhomajri, though a distant third, made a respectable showing with 31,688 votes.
This victory is being hailed as a strategic win for the BJP, largely attributed to an aggressive and well-orchestrated campaign led by top BJP leaders, including Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Haryana’s former Chief Minister Manohar Lal. Shakti Rani Sharma, a former Ambala Mayor, led a tireless campaign, reaching out to every corner of the constituency, connecting with voters at a grassroots level.
Sharma’s campaign focused on development and the revival of Kalka’s economic landscape. She pledged to revive the now-defunct HMT Pinjore plant, create more job opportunities, and elevate Raipur Rani and Morni to subdivision status.
Her development-centric manifesto resonated with voters across the all four blocks of the Kalka constituency, offering a clear vision for the future of the region. Her campaign, which included door-to-door interactions, nukkad meetings, and large public gatherings, was an example of meticulous grassroots-level planning. She presented voters with a clear, actionable roadmap for development, which ultimately propelled her to victory.
Shakti Rani Sharma maintained a steady lead from the fourth round of counting and never looked back.
The BJP’s investment in Kalka was evident as high-profile leaders such as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held rallies in support of Sharma. In the final stretch, union minister Manohar Lal energized party workers with a massive karyakarta sammelan, further consolidating the party’s position.
The Kalka seat, historically linked to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and his political dynasty, had long been under Congress’s control. Chander Mohan, Bhajan Lal’s son and former Deputy Chief Minister, had represented Kalka four times in a row from 1993 to 2005. However, the BJP’s targeted campaign led by Shakti Rani Sharma and development message have now ended Congress’s reign over this key constituency.
Shakti Rani Sharma’s win is being considered as a major symbolic win for the BJP, showcasing the party’s ability to penetrate traditional Congress bastions. As the only woman contender in this high-stakes battle, her success also reflects the changing political dynamics in Haryana, where development is emerging as a key voter concern, overtaking long-standing political loyalties.
With this victory, the BJP has added another crucial seat to its tally, while Congress is left to reconsider its strategy in Haryana, particularly in regions like Kalka that once seemed securely in its grasp.
