Congress, BJP bigwigs in for a tough fight, rebels may spring a surprise

Top Haryana leaders of both the Congress and the BJP are locked in a tough electoral contest. Though it is mainly a direct contest between the two parties, Independents as well as candidates of the INLD-BSP and the JJP-ASP are posing a tough challenge to stalwarts in some segments.

Observers said some of these candidates had a good support base and they might spring a surprise on October 8 when the poll results would be announced.

While the Congress is banking on “strong anti-incumbency” against the BJP, the latter on its “good performance and achievements” of the last 10 years.

Among the top leaders facing a fierce contest is Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Ladwa where his opponent and Congress’ outgoing MLA Mewa Singh has campaigned extensively. Adding a twist to the contest, Sapna Barshami of the INLD-BSP might eat into the Congress’ votes and turn out to be a deciding factor in this rural segment.

On the other hand, Congress stalwart and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda seems to comfortably placed in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, his pocket borough. Former minister and BJP’s Ambala Cantonment candidate Anil Vij, who recently expressed his ambition to be the CM, is up against Chitra Sarwara, a Congress rebel who is in the fray as an Independent candidate. First-timer Jasbir Singh of the Congress is posing a serious challenge to former Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu of the BJP in Narnaund. Non-Jat votes could be a deciding factor in this segment as the BJP, Congress and INLD candidates are all Jats. Former state BJP chief Om Prakash Dhankar is pitted against Congress’ Kuldeep Vats in Badli, while former minister Ranjit Singh (Independent) is struggling against his grandson Arjun Chautala of the INLD-BSP in Rania.

Savitri Jindal, a BJP rebel, is giving a tough time to former BJP minister Kamal Gupta in Hisar. Similarly, two-time MLA and Haryana Speaker Gian Chand Gupta is facing a stiff challenge from Congress’ Chander Mohan in Panchkula.

It is tough going for former Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala in Uchana Kalan where he is pitted against former MP Brajendra Singh, son of Congress veteran Birender Singh.

Despite having support of the Haryana Lokhit Party of outgoing Sirsa MLA Gopal Kanda, senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala seems to be struggling against Bharat Singh Beniwal of the Congress. Surprisingly, Devender Kadian is giving sleepless nights to both Congress candidate and former Speaker Kuldeep Sharma and BJP’s Devender Kaushik in Gannaur.

A keen contest is on the cards between former Education Minister and senior Congress leader Geeta Bhukkal and BJP’s Kaptan BIrdhana in Jhajjar. Manish Grover, former minister and a loyalist of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, is locked in a tight contest with senior Congress leader BB Batra.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Mohan Lal Badoli claimed there was absolutely no anti-incumbency against the saffron party. “In the backdrop of welfare measures undertaken by the ‘double engine’ government for various sections of society, the BJP is all set to form the government for the third time,” he claimed.