The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is holding a central election committee (CEC) meeting today. In the previous meeting, the CEC finalized candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir elections. Now, it's Haryana's turn. The nomination process for Haryana assembly elections will commence on September 5, and this meeting will discuss the candidate names for Haryana. It's expected that the BJP's central election committee will finalize candidates for most of the 90 assembly seats in Haryana.
Sources indicate that the BJP is planning to approach the Haryana elections with a different strategy. The candidate list will reflect this new approach, focusing on consolidating non-Jat communities. The party will consider caste equations while finalizing tickets, paying attention to the demands of the OBC vote bank, which the Congress is also eyeing. With OBC leader Nayab Saini already being made Chief Minister right before the Lok Sabha elections, OBC dominance in ticket distribution is likely.
Family Connections in Politics
The BJP has always been vocal against dynasty politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed this issue from the Red Fort, emphasizing the need for young politicians with no family background in politics. In Haryana, however, BJP's foundation has often been built around family connections. The party has criticized the Congress over the Hooda family and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) over the Chautala family. This time, the BJP will distribute tickets based on potential for victory, popularity, and caste equations. Candidates like Kuldeep Bishnoi's son, Bhavya Bishnoi, current MLA from Adampur, Kiran Choudhary's daughter Shruti Choudhary, and Union Minister Rao Inderjeet's daughter Aarti may secure tickets.
Not Refraining from Contesting Losing Faces
Despite losing 5 out of 10 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is likely to field some of the same candidates in the Haryana elections. The party typically avoids contesting previously losing candidates, but this time might include them as the electoral battle in Haryana is tough. Prominent figures like Ashok Tanwar and Arvind Sharma, who faced defeat, may still be considered.
Focus on Sports Personalities
In light of the sexual harassment allegations made by female wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was also a BJP MP, the party may introduce more sports figures into the electoral fray. This strategy aims to mitigate potential backlash from the athlete community in Haryana.
Read Also: Election Commission Sends Notice to Haryana BJP President for Violating Code of Conduct
Ministers May Lose Tickets
With the BJP governing Haryana for the past ten years, anti-incumbency factors are at play. Before announcing the election schedule, the BJP might cut tickets for several current ministers, including prominent figures facing allegations, like former hockey captain Sandeep Singh. Approximately 30% of the current legislators might not get tickets this time.
Read Also: BJP Revises Candidate List for Jammu and Kashmir, Announces 15 Candidates for First Phase
Focus on Non-Jat Communities
The BJP is focusing on consolidating non-Jat communities, countering the potential consolidation of Jat voters for the Congress. The party aims to bring Punjabis, Gujjars, OBCs, and Yadavs into its fold and is also focusing on Dalit voters through Dalit pride and honor conferences. The recent Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP losing both reserved seats.
