The potential alliance between Congress and AAP has raised concerns for the BJP in Haryana. Reports suggest that the party is altering its strategy for the upcoming Haryana Vidhan Sabha Elections 2024. As of now, neither party has announced their candidates, and meetings are ongoing. There are indications that the BJP is preparing to make significant changes to its candidate list in several constituencies.
Highlights:
– Congress and AAP may collaborate for the elections in Haryana.
– The alliance has heightened worries for the BJP.
– BJP is strategizing for victory in each constituency.
Anurag Agarwal, Chandigarh: To prevent Congress from gaining ground and to secure a third consecutive term, the BJP is rethinking its approach. The party’s leadership is focusing on winning individual seats, placing significant importance on the preferences of Union Minister Rao Inderjit.
Rao Inderjit holds considerable political influence in South Haryana (Ahirwal). The BJP previously gained power based on its performance in that region. The party is unwilling to risk alienating him, opting to field candidates he supports in around ten assembly seats.
Candidates Likely to Change:
The ticket for BJP MLA Satya Prakash Jarawata from Pataudi is expected to be cut, with former MLA Bimla Chaudhary likely to take his place based on Rao Inderjit’s recommendation.
Similarly, the ticket for Sohna MLA and State Minister Sanjay Singh is also set to be cut, with former MLA Tejpal Tanwar being considered for nomination.
In Gurugram, the BJP might replace MLA Sudhir Singla with Mukesh Sharma or G.L. Sharma. Rao Inderjit’s daughter, Aarti Rao, is expected to contest from Ateli, where the current MLA, Sitaram, will likely lose his ticket.
Additionally, there are uncertainties regarding the ticket of two-term MLA and PWD Minister Dr. Banwari Lal from the Bawal constituency, with Rao Inderjit’s supporter Bharat Singh in line for nomination.
In Rewari, the BJP is considering former MLA Randhir Kapriwas or his nephew Mukesh Kapriwas, while Rao Inderjit prefers his supporter Sunil Musepur or his wife, Manju.
Party Prepared to Offer 7-9 Seats
During the BJP’s central election committee meeting, there was consensus on cutting tickets for Rao Inderjit’s preferred candidates. However, given the Congress alliance with other parties in the state, the BJP is wary of upsetting him.
Rao has requested nearly a dozen seats from the BJP, but the party seems willing to grant him only seven to nine. While he opposed former PWD Minister Rao Narbir being given the Badshahpur seat, the BJP has convinced Rao Inderjit to accept this arrangement.
On the Kosli assembly seat, the current MLA Laxman Yadav has requested to shift to Rewari, fearing his ticket may be cut. The BJP has advised him that Sunil Musepur or Manju could be candidates from Kosli, although former OSD to the CM Abhimanyu Yadav and Anil Yadav are also strong contenders.
Rao Inderjit has no objections to former Education Minister Prof. Ram Bilas Sharma contesting from Mahendergarh. He is also insistent on securing a ticket for current MLA Omprakash Yadav from Narnaul.
Former MLA Zakir Hussain, who contested for the BJP from Nuh last time, faces uncertainty this election, as the party may choose a non-Muslim candidate.