In view of the assembly elections in Haryana, ticket distribution is becoming a headache for political parties. Apart from the traditional caste, community and region, political parties are also considering new equations, such as focusing on nepotism and social engineering.
The ruling BJP is in the race to gain power for the third consecutive time. This time the biggest challenge before the party is to give tickets to the sons, daughters and relatives of prominent leaders. If party sources are to be believed, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has advised the BJP to give tickets to the sons and daughters of current ministers and MPs. This changing attitude on nepotism may surprise the people of Haryana.
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List of 90 seats sent to the high command
Facing ten years of anti-incumbency, BJP leaders brainstormed for two days in Gurugram and have finalised party candidates for 90 seats. A vetted list has been submitted to the party high command, which may get approval in the coming days.
Some of the potential family candidates from BJP include Mohit Panghal, son of BJP MP Dharambir Singh, former MP Shruti Chaudhary, Devendra Gurjar, son of Krishanpal Gurjar, and Aarti Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh.
Rao Inderjit Singh’s trouble
It is being said that Rao Inderjit Singh, who was involved in the Gurugram Manthan, has not been able to directly ask for a ticket for his daughter, however, other members of the screening committee and supporters have advised him to add Aarti’s name to the list. It is being said that he is also a little angry with the party high command, whose demand for a ticket for his daughter was rejected in 2014 and 2019.
He also wanted to become a minister with independent charge but the party gave preference to former CM Manohar Lal Khattar. If seen, he has influence on 14 seats in Haryana, which includes seats in southern Haryana. The Ahirwal community dominates this region.
He has also asked for tickets for his supporters from Bagar and GT Road belt, but only after the list is released will it be known how much free hand the party has given him this time.
A senior BJP leader, on the condition of anonymity, said that the leadership is in no mood to take any chances because a wrong decision can affect the party’s performance. The party leader said that the final decision will be taken by the high command, but those who have been involved in anti-party activities, or whose performance has been poor, may not get a ticket.
Congress’ focus is on non-Jat
Congress is also considering giving more tickets to non-Jat communities to counter BJP’s social engineering. Senior party leaders believe that this strategy could be important to counter the reasons for its defeat in the last assembly elections.
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Congress has also prepared a list of 15 leaders who have lost two consecutive elections and will not be given tickets. This includes 27 party candidates who lost the 2019 assembly elections. If sources are to be believed, Congress may give more preference to non-Jat this time in Haryana, which may include Brahmins, Punjabis and other backward castes, so that BJP’s OBC and non-Jat card can be challenged.
5000 applications received for tickets
When asked, Haryana Congress spokesperson Kewal Dhingra said, “Being a strong candidate is the first condition for getting a party ticket, the decision of the party high command will be final.” According to party sources, due to poor performance and poor candidates, tickets of eight to ten current MLAs may be cut. The party has received more than 5000 applications for tickets.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)