The mandate in Haryana has not only surprised the entire country but has also revived the political prominence of Venod Sharma’s family. Once a senior Congress leader and minister at the Centre, Sharma’s family has reestablished its status in Haryana politics after more than two-and-half decades.
Two years after his son Kartikeya Sharma’s victory in the Rajya Sabha, Venod Sharma’s wife Shakti Rani Sharma reclaimed her family’s political standing by winning decisively from the Kalka seat on a BJP ticket, silencing her opponents. Both Sharma and her son played crucial roles in this success. The Sharma family received full backing from prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, which helped Shakti Rani secure a remarkable win in a challenging constituency. Her victory is particularly significant, as Congress had considered the Kalka seat an easy win for them when her candidacy was announced.
After filing the nomination, the strategy devised by the Sharma family in collaboration with the party led to the BJP securing the Kalka seat. Shakti Rani Sharma’s son, Kartikeya, dedicated himself fully to the campaign, working tirelessly to ensure his mother’s victory. Although a successful businessman, Kartikeya rose to prominence on June 10, 2022, when he stunned everyone by defeating veteran Congress leader Ajay Maken in the Rajya Sabha elections—a contest many had deemed a certain win for Maken. Kartikeya’s victory was bolstered by the support of BJP and independent MLAs.
In just two years of his political career, Kartikeya made a significant impact in the Rajya Sabha, catching the attention of Prime Minister Modi. Encouraged by his son’s success, Venod Sharma decided to join the BJP. The Sharma family has long been active in Ambala politics and had hoped to secure a ticket from that constituency. However, the party chose to nominate them from Kalka instead, giving their opponents room to criticize. Detractors claimed the Kalka seat was a challenging one and questioned Kartikeya’s previous victory, suggesting it was merely a stroke of luck. Kartikeya and the Sharma family gave a befitting reply to their opponents by winning the Kalka seat. They have proved that they are as strong in politics today as they were two-and-half decades ago. Slowly but with struggle and honesty, they have made a place in politics again. With this victory, the Sharma family’s hold on the BJP high command will be stronger now. Sharma family will be more successful in making its place in Haryana politics.