Congress Plays It Safe with Small List for Haryana Elections Amid BJP’s Expansive Slate”

Chandigarh/ Anil Kakkar

In preparation for the upcoming Haryana elections, Congress has opted for a cautious strategy, releasing just 32 candidate names in two separate lists. This move contrasts sharply with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which unveiled a comprehensive list of 67 candidates. The BJP’s extensive list led to a significant fallout, with 32 party leaders, including ministers and sitting legislators, resigning within 24 hours.

Congress’s decision to release only a limited number of candidates came after intense deliberations within its screening and central election committees. Despite multiple meetings and the presence of Sonia Gandhi in the final session, the party refrained from announcing a larger slate of candidates.

Among the 32 candidates announced, 28 are current legislators, indicating that Congress is maintaining its existing team. Only four seats saw changes in candidates. This approach suggests that Congress is evaluating whether it will face a similar backlash as the BJP.

The Congress high command aimed to balance various internal factions. The lists include 24 candidates from former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s camp and four loyalists of MP Kumari Selja. Even Chiranjeev Rao, the son of former minister Captain Ajay Yadav, was given a ticket, despite his father’s strained relations with the party.

The party’s strategy includes a mix of incumbent legislators and those involved in ongoing legal issues. For instance, three legislators entangled in money laundering cases—Surender Panwar from Sonipat, Dharm Singh Chhokar from Samalkha, and Rao Dan Singh from Mahendergarh—were also included in the list. This move is seen as a way to send a message that Congress supports its members through challenging times, possibly turning their legal troubles into a political advantage.

Congress’s decision to retain all sitting legislators is driven by three key considerations:

1. Anti-Incumbency Concerns: With the BJP having ruled Haryana for a decade, Congress fears that changing its candidates might give the opposition a strong point of attack.
2. Legal Troubles: By retaining legislators with legal issues, Congress aims to show solidarity and avoid internal dissent. This might also help them frame the narrative against the BJP.
3. Avoiding Defections: The party is wary of potential defections. With BJP, JJP, and INLD yet to announce their candidates, retaining current legislators minimizes the risk of them joining other parties.

The party’s candidate list also reflects a focus on key demographic groups:

1. Jat Representation: Congress has prominently featured Jat candidates, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda from Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi and Vinesh Phogat from Julana. This strategy is intended to capitalize on Jat dissatisfaction with the BJP.
2. Scheduled Castes (SC) Candidates: Nine SC candidates have been included, demonstrating Congress’s commitment to this community, which has historically supported the party.
3. Other Backward Classes (OBC): Four OBC candidates were chosen, indicating Congress’s broader outreach beyond just the Jat community.
4. Muslims: Three Muslim candidates have been selected, addressing the community’s representation in contrast to the BJP’s list which did not include any Muslim candidates.
5. Other Communities: The list also features candidates from various communities, including Brahmins, Punjabis, and Sikhs, to ensure balanced representation.

In terms of regional strategy, Congress has focused on key areas:

1. Jatland: Tickets were announced for most seats in Jat-majority areas like Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Sonipat. The party is maintaining a strong position in these regions.
2. Muslim-majority Nuh: All three seats in this district have been reserved for Muslim candidates, reflecting Congress’s stronghold here.
3. Challenges in South Haryana: Congress has only announced candidates for seven out of 23 seats in South Haryana-Ahirwal, where it faces stiff competition.
4. Bhivani: No candidates were announced for Bhivani, a significant area following the defection of Kiran Chaudhary to the BJP.
5. Jind and Surrounding Areas: The party has not yet finalized candidates for these seats, which are influenced by local leader Chaudhary Birender Singh.

Overall, Congress’s strategy indicates a cautious approach aimed at minimizing internal discord while targeting key voter demographics and regions to maximize electoral gains.