Poll verdict a huge setback to ‘Hooda Congress’, say analysts

The mandate given by the people of Haryana in the Assembly poll has come as a big blow for the Congress, especially the camp of two-time CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, which was expecting to assume the reins of the state soon after the declaration of the election results.

Hooda’s towering political stature, considerable support enjoyed by him within the party and among the people, along with his planning and execution abilities make him stand out as a stalwart leader from the Deswali belt.

“There seemed to be an anti-incumbency sentiment among the state’s voters following two consecutive terms of the BJP government in Haryana, and Hooda seemed to be the obvious choice for the CM’s post in view of his popularity. But all assessments went wrong,” said a dejected party leader.

Political analysts observe that complacency of the state Congress leadership, polarisation of Jat and non-Jat votes and the episode involving former Union Minister Selja Kumari appear to have led to the given poll outcome.

“The dissident Congress leaders, especially those belonging to the Jat community, played a key role in the defeat of the party’s official candidates by preventing the consolidation of Jat votes.

On the other hand, members of the non-Jat community got polarised as they saw Hooda as a community leader. Members of the Dalit community turned away from the Congress after the Selja episode, as a result of which the BJP won most of the seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes,” says Jagbir Narwal, a professor of public administration at MDU in Rohtak.

His views are endorsed by Prof Rajendra Sharma, head of the department of political science at the MDU, who states that the Congress high command may have to look for non-Jat leaders in Haryana if it wants to counter the BJP in future. “The people of Haryana also seem to have rejected dynastic politics as they have taught a lesson to the clans of Bhajan Lal, Devi Lal and Bansi Lal as well,” observes Prof Sharma.

Harish Kumar, professor and head, department of journalism and mass communication at the MDU, also feels that the polarisation of non-Jat votes, overconfidence of Congress leadership and infighting among party leaders led to the party’s defeat.

“There was a strong undercurrent against the Congress in the voters. Certain advertisements inserted by the Congress and the BJP also played an instrumental role in shaping the people’s opinion and decision,” he said.