BJP’s strategy fails in Sirsa; loses all 5 seats

Despite securing the third consecutive majority in Haryana, the BJP failed to win a single seat in Sirsa district’s five constituencies. The party’s strategy in the region was a complete failure, with candidates losing their deposits in four out of five seats.

The BJP’s selection of candidates led to a lack of enthusiasm among its workers, resulting in a subdued campaign and voter turnout. Gopal and Gobind Kanda failed to gain the trust of BJP party workers, who felt neglected. This disconnect proved costly, as internal rifts and poor planning significantly impacted the BJP’s performance.

In Ellenabad, INLD’s long-standing dominance ended with a defeat for Abhay Singh Chautala. The INLD and Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) alliance did not resonate with the voters, especially after both parties had previously contested against each other. The BJP fielded a weak candidate, benefitting the Congress more than the INLD. As a result, the anti-incumbency vote shifted to the Congress, causing the INLD to lose a seat it had held for over two decades.

The Dabwali constituency saw a surprising win for Aditya Chautala, who contested on an INLD ticket after being denied a BJP nomination. Aditya’s campaign got sympathy and he successfully captured the anti-BJP vote. The Congress candidate, Amit Sihag, performed well in urban areas but failed to maintain his stronghold in rural regions. Meanwhile, JJP’s Digvijay Chautala finished third. Aditya Chautala won by a narrow margin of just 710 votes, securing 56,074 votes compared to Sihag’s 55,464 votes.

In Sirsa Urban, the BJP’s decision to back HLP candidate Gopal Kanda created confusion among the voters. The Congress candidate, Gokul Setia, capitalised on this by portraying the BJP and the INLD as supporters of Kanda. This strategy paid off as rural voters largely supported the Congress.

In Kalanwali, Congress candidate Shishpal Keharwala emerged victorious, defeating both BJP and INLD candidates. BJP’s Rajender Desujodha, a frequent runner-up, failed to gain significant traction despite multiple attempts. The split in opposition votes between the BJP and the INLD benefitted the Congress.

The results highlight the BJP’s failure to strategise effectively in Sirsa and the INLD’s diminishing influence in key constituencies. The party’s neglect of its core workers and confusion over candidate selections played a decisive role in its defeat across the district.