As Haryana gears up for its Assembly elections on October 5, 2024, the political battleground has heated up with candidates from major parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) actively campaigning. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting across 90 constituencies, making it a multi-cornered contest. The ruling BJP, eyeing a third consecutive term, is banking on support from non-Jat communities, while other parties are targeting key voter bases such as Jats and Dalits. With significant constituencies up for grabs, here are five key seats to watch closely.
Ladwa
Ladwa is one of the most closely watched constituencies, with BJP Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini contesting from this seat, considered a stronghold for his party. The BJP won 47.14% of the vote here in the last Lok Sabha elections, and the party is hoping to maintain its dominance. However, competition is stiff, with Congress’ sitting MLA Mewa Singh, INLD’s Sher Singh Barshami, and AAP’s Joga Singh all vying for the seat. Additionally, JJP’s Vinod Sharma adds to the contest. Ladwa’s population is largely rural, with a significant proportion of Scheduled Caste voters (22.6%) and the Saini community (7.4%). Since no party has won Ladwa twice since 2009, the race remains unpredictable.
Ateli
Ateli, located in the Ahirwal belt, is dominated by the Yadav community, making up 50-60% of the electorate. This election is unique, as three women are the main contenders. BJP’s Arti Rao Singh, daughter of Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh, is making her electoral debut against Congress’ Anita Yadav and JJP’s Aayushi Yadav. The seat also has a big Scheduled Caste voter base (28%), making the BSP’s Atar Lal a key player. Although Ateli has traditionally been a BJP stronghold, anti-incumbency factors and the popularity of local candidates could make this contest more competitive.
Julana
Julana is another constituency generating buzz due to the political debut of wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat. Representing Congress, Phogat is aiming to secure the support of Julana’s 1.85 lakh voters, a constituency heavily dominated by Jats. Phogat faces BJP’s Yogesh Bairagi, a youth leader and vice president of the BJP Haryana Youth Wing. JJP’s Amarjeet Dhanda, the sitting MLA, is also a formidable opponent, having secured 49% of the vote in the last election. The presence of Backward Classes and Scheduled Caste voters also adds to the complexity of the race, making it one of the most intriguing contests.
Mulana
In Mulana, BJP’s sitting MLA, 69-year-old Santosh Chauhan Sarwan, faces a tough challenge from Congress’ 38-year-old Pooja Chaudhary, making this another seat dominated by women candidates. Sarwan, a veteran politician, is defending her seat against Pooja, who is the wife of Ambala MP Varun Chaudhary. While Sarwan brings experience, Pooja’s political debut could attract younger voters and those seeking change. The outcome of this contest could be pivotal in determining Congress’ performance in the region.
Hisar
Though not a traditional political heavyweight, Savitri Jindal, an independent candidate and the wealthiest contender, has gained attention in Hisar. As the widow of industrialist OP Jindal and mother of BJP MP Naveen Jindal, she carries a legacy of political and industrial influence. Her wealth, estimated at Rs 270 crore, has the potential to significantly impact her campaign. Running as an independent, Jindal’s success could reshape the political dynamics in Hisar, challenging both the BJP and Congress.
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