Haryana Assembly poll: Congress likely to go with old-timers in Rohtak

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, August 25

While the BJP is bracing to field new faces in the majority of Assembly seats in Rohtak district for different reasons, the Congress is likely to enter the poll battle here with old-timers. The JJP has sought names from its leaders to contest the poll while the INLD-BSP is yet to take a final call regarding the seat-sharing in Rohtak district.

Party won three of four seats in 2019

The Congress won three of the four seats in the Assembly elections in 2019. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda romped home victorious from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi for the fifth time and Shakuntla Khatak made a hat-trick from Kalanaur (reserved) and state Congress chief whip Bharat Bhushan Batra wrested Rohtak seat from the BJP nominee and then Cooperative Minister Munish Grover.

The Congress won three of the four seats in the Assembly polls in 2019. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda romped home victorious from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi for the fifth time and Shakuntla Khatak made a hat-trick from Kalanaur (reserved) and state Congress chief whip Bharat Bhushan Batra wrested Rohtak seat from the BJP nominee and then Cooperative Minister Munish Grover.

No one except Hooda has applied for Congress ticket from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi while Khatak — being a three-time MLA — is the strongest contender from Kalanaur this time too. However, 54 others are also seeking ticket from Kalanaur.

The Congress’ veteran leader and former minister Anand Singh Dangi lost the election from Meham to Independent candidate Balraj Kundu in a multi-cornered contest in 2019. This time, Dangi intends to pass on the electoral baton to his son Balram but keeping in view of his vast experience and political stature, the party, as claimed by a senior Congress leader, wants Dangi to contest this election.

Interestingly, 27 others are vying for the ticket from Meham and some of them have already started addressing poll meetings in the constituency claiming that this time, the Congress would change its candidate.

For Rohtak, the candidature of Bharat Bhushan Batra, an aide of Hooda, is believed to be certain due to his clean image and being a two-time MLA. He was also bestowed the ‘Best Legislator Award of Haryana’ during his first tenure as MLA from 2009-14. Batra has persistently been carrying out a public contact programme in his constituency. Even Asha Hooda, wife of Bhupinder Hooda, has already appealed to the people to ensure Batra’s victory with the highest margin in the state. However, nine other local leaders have applied for the party ticket from here.