Hooda champions Cong strategy in Jat-dominated belt
As campaigning for the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls came to a close today, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda held a press conference in Karnal, declaring that the BJP’s decade-long rule has resulted in a significant “zero” compared to his tenure, asserting that Congress is poised to return to power with a substantial majority.
Hooda’s remarks encapsulate the Congress campaign strategy, which has capitalised on anti-incumbency sentiments against the Khattar and Saini governments while focusing on key issues such as farmers’ struggles, the Agnipath scheme, and the sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Hooda has effectively positioned Congress as the only viable alternative to the BJP, bolstered by the party’s success in securing five Lok Sabha seats in June, thereby diminishing the influence of regional players like the JJP and the INLD.
As the face of the Opposition in Haryana, Hooda has consistently targeted the Khattar and Saini administrations through press statements, conferences, and public meetings. He has maintained a local narrative, largely refraining from responding to personal attacks from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah aimed at him and his son, Deepender.
The Assembly elections in J&K, as well as Haryana, are significant as they are among the first polls following the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP failed to secure a majority independently.
Congress’s campaign strategy has been concentrated in Jat-dominated and GT Road belt constituencies. The party is relying on its successful formula from the Lok Sabha elections, consolidating support among the Jats, Dalits, Sikhs, and Muslims, while also seeking a share of the Backward Classes’ votes. Given the BJP’s strength in Ahir-dominated constituencies of southern Haryana, Congress’s campaign efforts in these areas have been less aggressive.
Sunil Kanugolu’s team has crafted several campaigns for the party, including ‘Haryana Mange Hisaab,’ ‘Kharche Pe Charcha,’ “Lapatha” ads, and countdown clock hoardings. This team, which previously led successful campaigns in Telangana and Karnataka, also conceptualised Rahul Gandhi’s yatra along the GT Road belt constituencies.
On the final day of campaigning in Nuh, Rahul Gandhi emphasised the themes of “Mohabbat ki Dukaan” and “Samvidhan ki Raksha,” particularly poignant given last year’s riots. In Mahendragarh, he raised concerns about “donkey” route migrations to the US due to high unemployment in the state.
The Congress received a significant boost today with the return of prominent Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar, who rejoined the party after five years in the presence of Gandhi at the Mahendragarh rally. On the ticket front, Hooda’s faction secured over 70 nominations, effectively sidelining rivals Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala. Selja, reportedly miffed, refrained from campaigning for about two weeks until the high command persuaded her to return. The party’s image as pro-players was bolstered by the inclusion of Vinesh Phogat, the face of the women wrestlers’ protest, who received Congress’s nomination from Julana.
However, the party faced challenges from dissenters, expelling 23 rebels, including former MLAs Satvinder Rana, Lalit Nagar, and Sharda Rathore, who chose to run as Independents or join other parties. Mindful of potential vote splitters, the party consistently reminded the electorate that it is a two-party contest.
