M A I N   N E W S

Alliance has the edge
By Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA: All nine assembly segments that fall in this Lok Sabha constituency are witnessing keen multicornered contests. The ruling INLD-BJP alliance is not only pitted against the Congress, HVP and BSP, but has also to deal with some powerful independents. The alliance will have the edge. Yet it would not be a sweep as claimed by the main architect of the alliance, Mr Om Prakash Chautala.

These nine assembly seats cut across three districts of Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Kaithal and are in the prosperous area where middle level farmers and rich industrialists have their political clout. This makes the stakes high.

In the prime industrial town of Yamunanagar, the BJP candidate, Mrs Kamla Verma, is pitted against powerful candidates — Mr Sahib Singh of the Haryana Vikas Party, Mr Randhir Singh of the BSP and Dr J P Sharma of the Congress. A rebel BJP candidate, Mr Ashok Sharma is there to queer the pitch for Mrs Verma. In many areas people have turned against her. But that way no candidate commands total sway over all the towns and villages. Each has pockets of influence.

In nearby Jagadhari, the Brass town of Haryana, a Panjab University don and Congress candidate, Dr Ram Parkash is trying his luck. This seat was held by Mr Subhash Chaudhry, a close confidant of the HVP leader, Mr Bansi Lal. He ditched him. Despite being a minister suffers from a major handicap as he is not a candidate of any political party. What is worse, Mr Bansi Lal has chosen Chaudhry’s brother-in-law, Mr Narinder Kumar to fight it out. In order to take advantage of the caste equations, BJP has chosen Mr Rameshwar Chander, a Dhodi. If the Congress is able to retain its traditional base intact, it could claim the seat. Opposition vote bank would get fragmented and there is no clear advantage to the the BJP. Also, Mr Subhash Chaudhry still claims to represent the INLD and his supporters continue to shout slogans in favour Mr Om Prakash Chautala.

In Thanesar, the fight could narrow down to Mr Ashok Kumar Arora, at present Speaker of the Haryana Assembly and the INLD candidate and the HVP candidate, Mr Jatinder Singh Kaka. Both have good reputation, resources and supporters. The Congress has pitted Mrs Shashi Saini.

From Shahbad also, the contest is three cornered among the sitting BJP MLA, Vaid Kapoor Chand, HVP’s Chaudhri Sher Singh and the Congress candidate and former minister, Mr Tara Singh. The Congress faces rebels. The support for Vaid Kapoor Chand from the Jats is not total. There is Mr Joginder Singh of the CPI. This seat was once held by that party. It would be a close finish for any candidate here. The campaign has been tough all through.

From Radaur reserve Mr Banta Ram of the INLD is trying hard to gain the seat. He has a formidable challenge from Mr Ram Singh Congress, Priti Lal (HVP) and four others. In 1996, this seat was held by Mr Lahiri Singh of the HVP. He had later switched over to the Congress. It is now more or less a direct contest between the Congress and the INLD.

From Pundri there are 18 contestants. It presents a queer caste configuration. The INLD-BJP alliance has Mr Randhir Singh Golan. There is a rebel sitting MLA, Mr Makhan Singh from the INLD in the field. He would surely damage the official candidate in some pockets. The Congress has pushed Mr Balwan Singh. But then to add to the pitch, there is Mr Narinder Sharma, a former minister to claim the seat. The BJP has Mr Raghubir Singh and there is an Independent, Mr Tejbir Singh, son of the late Mr Ishwar Singh, once a Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha. “Plenty to choose from and no regrets” as the locals described the contest.

From Guhla, bordering Punjab, Mr Dillu Ram, a sitting Congress MLA is pitted against Mr Amar Singh Dhand of the INLD. Other candidates from different parties and Independents are adding their own colour. But contest may remain among the two major contenders.

From Pai, Mr Rampal Majra, a sitting INLD legislator has to fight out Mr Narsingh Dhanda of the Haryana Vikas Party and Mr Tejinder Singh Mann from the Congress. All veterans are sons of veterans like Mr Mann and the contest is as keen as it was last time in 1996.

In Pehowa, sitting INLD legislator, Mr Jaswinder Singh Sindhu has to reckon with tough competition from two other major contestants, Mr Baldev Singh Ramana, and Independent Mr Balbir Singh Saini. Mr Ramana is a Labana Sikh and has this advantage as has Mr Saini from that caste. Interestingly Mr Sadhu Ram Saini, a relation of the other Saini is trying hard to make it a four-corner contest. He claims the support of the HVP .