Can BJP dethrone Haryana’s First Family in their own fiefdomIJ
Haryana’s two-term Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is engaged in intense battle to save his home turf. His son Deepender Singh Hooda, an MP from Rohtak, is campaigning hard for Congress candidates in his family fiefdom. Their rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, is leaving no stone unturned to unsettle the Hoodas who have been lording over city politics and in a way, have perpetuated dynastic politics.
Rohtak has around 7 lakh voters who are being wooed by the political parties. Meham, Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, Rohtak City and Kalanaur (reserved) are the Assembly segments with over 7 lakh voters. The BJP appears to have made serious inroads into this Congress citadel. Chautala’s Indian National lok Dal (INlD) has launched an aggressive campaign to win Rohtak. Except Gari Sampla-Kiloi seat where Chief Minister Hooda is contesting, Congress is struggling to fend off the challenge mounted by a resurgent BJP.
located 80 km from Delhi, the city has benefited from Hooda’s promised development. The six-lane Rohtak Highway takes you inside the city in 50 minutes from Bahadurgarh. While Hooda’s development claims are visible, he is still on a sticky wicket in his political stranglehold. In Rohtak constituency this time around, Hooda is facing a tough contest in all the four Assembly segments.
locals in Meham feel Hooda will face a tough battle in the triangular contest with INlD and new entrant BJP. While BJP has fielded Shamsher Singh Kharkhara against INlD’s Satish Kumar Nandal from the traditional Jat seat, Congress has fielded Anand Singh Dangi, the sitting MlA.
“There is a tough contest between the three parties. For Hooda, this seat will be tough to win with BJP in the fray,” said Narendra, a voter. The BJP’s fierce campaigning too has compounded the woes of the ruling Congress.
Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, Hooda’s constituency, is likely to emerge in Congress’ favour. Yet again. BJP’s Dharamvir Hooda is claiming his win despite the sitting CM having a clear edge over him. His supporters are buoyed too. “Dharamvir is likely to give a tough contest to Hooda because he has age on his side and is a Jat. His surname too will ensure his victory,” said a BJP leader.
The Modi magic seems be working in Rohtak district, claim his supporters. The BJP won seven out of the 10 lok Sabha seats and with INlD winning two seats, the ruling Congress was decimated as it won only Rohtak. There are a total of 1,71,043 voters in Rohtak Assembly seat.