With the Assembly Elections around the corner, the Political leaders and workers in Haryana are sweating profusely in the Streets to show their strength for getting ticket in their respective constituencies. As none of the political parties have announced tickets so far in the State, the aspirants are leaving no stone unturned to garner support from the public through holding rallies, roadshows and public meetings as well as putting all their efforts to mount pressure on their top brass. These aspirants are also using innovative ways to connect with the voters, such as door-to-door campaigns, social media interactions, and community outreach programs.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are among the key players in the fray. The Elections are scheduled for October 1, and the results will be declared on October 4.

In the Congress party, the candidates are working tirelessly to secure a ticket as there is a long queue of aspirants in every segment. There are over 2500 candidates who have applied for tickets in the Congress in Haryana. These aspirants are banking on the party and organisational work, past record as social workers and their connection with the masses to get the mandate.

In Congress, the Hooda faction, Birender Singh faction and the Selja-Surjewala faction are at loggerheads and workers are approaching their leaders to get tickets in their respective constituencies.  

Vrinda Sharma, a ticket aspirant from former Union Minister and Senior Congress leader Birender Singh's faction, who recently held a rally at Jat Dharmshala in Jind to show the strength, said, “Large number of people attended the rally. They want me to contest assembly elections as I have been working for the party over the last many years. I am a dedicated worker of the Congress party.”

In Jind, Parmod Sehwag and Pardeep Gill, who are considered close to former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have been conducting their padyatra in different areas over the last many days to garner support from public and also to mount pressure on party high command to get ticket.

Talking to reporters, Ajay Chaudhary, who is considered close to Sirsa MP and senior Congress leader Kumari Selja, said, “I am seeking a ticket from Narnaund segment of Hisar district. I had recently organized a party worker meeting at Ravidass Dharamshala and sought support from them. At a rally in Narnaund, Selja ji had recently declared my candidature and sought votes for me.”

Talking to reporters, senior Congress leader Sukhbir Kataria, who himself is a contender for the ticket from Gurugram, said, “32 aspirants have already staked claim for the party ticket from Gurugram.” He further said, “We are very confident about defeating the BJP across the State and in Gurugram as it has failed to deliver services to the people in the last 10 years. Gurugram has become a waterlogged city, which is permanently traffic-jammed and full of garbage. We will end this nightmare,” said Kataria.”

In a press statement, Mohit Grover, who fought the election in 2019 as an independent from Gurugram said, “I am a tried and tested candidate as I managed to get around 50, 000 votes and came second in the 2019 election. I have earned the trust of people in Gurugram and that is the reason they voted for me. My father also served the Congress for many years. If a mandate is given I will work hard to ensure that the party wins in the polls.”

Pankaj Dawar, Media Coordinator of the Congress party, Gurugram, said, “I have served the organisation in the toughest period from 2010 to 2024 with dedication. I have served the party with loyalty and almost 90% of party activities held in the last 10 years have been carried out by me. I ensured that 10,600 people joined the party during the membership drive.”

Manish Bansal, son of former railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, is making a push for political influence in Panchkula. In a statement, Bansal said, “I have been working in Panchkula for the last 16 years and have the desire to contest from here, but the final decision will rest with the party high command.”

Congress State Women Wing Chief Sudha Bhardwaj as well as former mayor Upinder Ahluwalia are also actively seeking the ticket, signalling a competitive race for the party nomination from Panchkula. Senior Congress leader Laxman Goyal from Panchkula has also staked claim to the Panchkula seat.

To show their strength, the kin of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal held separate public meetings to mark his birth anniversary in his home constituency Tosham and native village Golagarh. Kiran Choudhry, daughter-in-law of Bansi Lal, along with her daughter Shruti Choudhry, organised a public meeting in Tosham town, which was attended by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as chief guest. On the other hand, Lal’s elder son, Ranbir Mahendra, former Congress MLA and his son Anirudh Chaudhry held a meeting of their supporters in Golagarh, his native village.

Despite facing anti-incumbency after ruling the State for 10 years, BJP district president Kamal Yadav said that enthusiasm among the workers and leaders was high. Talking to reporters in Gurugram, he said, “There is strong demand for the BJP ticket as workers and leaders have faith in the organisation and work which we have done in the last 10 years. As many as 15 candidates have sought the Gurugram ticket. Party will give the ticket to the candidate who has a clean image and is loyal to the party.”

A BJP leader Gargi Kakkar said, “I have worked both in the party organisation and as a social worker to help people. If the party gives me a chance, I will definitely work for the betterment of the city.”

Talking to reporters, BJP State Unit President Mohan Lal Badoli said that a large number of aspirants have sought a BJP ticket across the State and their names were discussed in detail in the state election committee meeting. “The names of candidates will be shared with the central leadership soon. The first list could be finalised by August 28 or August 29,” he added.