Abhay Chautala faces Beniwal clan in charged Ellenabad battle
Sirsa, August 22
The announcement of the Haryana Assembly elections has paved the way for a heated political battle in the Ellenabad constituency. Abhay Singh Chautala has held this seat, an Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) stronghold, since 2010. However, the ensuing elections could prove to be his most difficult fight yet, as the powerful Beniwal family, with strong associations with the Congress, prepares for a charged contest.
The Beniwal family has risen as a major force in the Congress, with its three key members running for the the seat. Bharat Singh Beniwal, a former Congress MLA, is a prominent local figure and one of the leading contenders. Then there are Santosh Beniwal, a popular Congress leader and Darba Kalan village sarpanch, and Pawan Beniwal, another powerful figure in the family. Pawan Beniwal, who defected from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Congress, had earlier ran in the 2019 Assembly elections against Abhay Singh Chautala but lost by 11,922 votes. Despite the defeat, the Beniwal family is still determined to assume control of the constituency.
The BJP has also positioned itself for the contest, with Meenu Beniwal and Gobind Kanda being the frontrunners for the party’s ticket. Meenu Beniwal joined the BJP on April 10, while Gobind Kanda, who ran against Chautala in the 2021 by-election, is looking for another shot.
Both want to profit from the ongoing contest within the Congress and present a strong challenge to the INLD’s control.
Ellenabad’s political dynamics are further complicated by its caste structure, which has historically played a significant role in election outcomes. Since 1967, the Jat community has exercised considerable influence in the constituency.
It was a reserved seat until 2005 and was unreserved when Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala ran in the 2009 elections. It has remained a Jat stronghold, and this election is projected to be no exception. The Beniwal family’s challenge within Congress, combined with the BJP’s efforts to gain ground, has created the conditions for an intense electoral battle.
Ellenabad has a rich political history, with the INLD wielding significant power. Notably, Chaudhary Bhagi Ram had served as an MLA from the constituency five times, representing various parties; Abhay Singh Chautala has carried the torch for the INLD since winning the 2010 by-election. If Chautala wins again, he will tie Bhagi Ram’s record of five terms as an MLA from the constituency.
As the election approaches, Abhay Singh Chautala has stated that he intended to continue contesting from Ellenabad until ordered otherwise by the party.
The stakes are high in this race, as legacy, competition, and party power all combine to make Ellenabad among the most closely watched constituencies.
