Gopal Kanda loses to Gokul Setia in Cong Sirsa triumph

Congress candidate Gokul Setia defeated Haryana Lokhit Party’s (HLP) Gopal Kanda by a margin of 7,234 votes in Sirsa. Kanda, a dominant figure in the politics of Sirsa, secured 71,786 votes while Setia gained 79,020 votes, marking a significant victory...

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, Updated At : 09:15 AM Oct 09, 2024 IST

Congress' Gokul Setia, the newly elected MLA from Sirsa, receives the victory certificate from election officials.

BJP workers celebrate third consecutive win
The BJP did not field a candidate for the Sirsa seat, which ultimately hurt Kanda more than it helped him. The majority of votes that could have supported Kanda went to Congress candidate Gokul Setia. Had the BJP entered the race, Kanda might have secured a victory. Displeased with Kanda’s statement rejecting the BJP’s support, local BJP leaders distanced themselves from him throughout the elections. Meanwhile, the BJP celebrated its historic third consecutive victory in the state. Led by BJP leader Aman Chopra, party workers gathered at Subhash Chowk to rejoice, light fireworks, dance to music and share sweets. Chopra described the win as a testament to the party’s development agenda and the trust placed in it by the voters.

BJP workers and supporters in a jubilant mood at Subhash Chowk.

Kanda, who had won the Sirsa seat in 2009 as an Independent and in 2019 under the HLP, was expected to perform well, especially since the BJP did not field a candidate against him. However, despite this advantage, Kanda lost his stronghold seat.

Reflecting on his victory, Gokul Setia credited the people of Sirsa, stating, “This win belongs to the people. I will remain indebted to their love and blessings.” Setia emphasised his commitment to continuing addressing the development-related issues of the people of Sirsa, adding that the people had rejected the influence of money and power.

Kanda’s campaign faced criticism for allegedly using religious events to influence voters. He hosted religious preacher Dhirendra Shastri at Tara Baba Kutia from September 13 to 17, followed by an attempt to bring another preacher, Pradeep Mishra, just before the conduct of the polls. However, his visit was cancelled after the opposition parties complained to the Election Commission.

Additionally, tensions flared on the voting day, October 5, when a clash broke out between supporters of Setia and Kanda, requiring the police intervention and a mild baton charge to control the situation. This election defeat marks a significant setback for Kanda in his political career.