Elections 2019: Is Haryana Willing to Give Chance to Congress?

"There is no leher (wave) this time. People are looking at the candidates very objectively when they are coming to seek votes," said Shiv Singh, a government employee of Karnal district court, while talking about the mood of the people ahead of elections in Haryana –which goes to polls on May 12. This comment by Singh sums up the feeling of the voters in Haryana. Soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was elected to power in 2014, the state witnessed a slew of episodes which have exposed the fault lines on which the saffron party cashed on and sought its mandate. 

Television sets were abuzz with the news when Sant Rampal, a controversial self-styled godman and preacher, had refused to surrender to the police after Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a non-bailable warrant in a case related to a murder. What transpired then was unprecedented in the history of the state. 

At least 20,000 police and paramilitary forces were deployed to arrest a single person. Twenty-six police personnel sustained injuries. But this was not the first such case. Jat agitation and the violence unleashed by the supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda further showed how the BJP-led government miserably failed in maintaining the law and order in the state.

"What they are doing is not correct. It may fetch them votes in short term, but it will be disastrous in the long run for the state," said Mahinder Sandhu, a lawyer, sitting in the reserved sitting space in the court premises. His comment comes against the backdrop of the political atmosphere in the state which has seemingly divided people into Jats versus non-Jats. It has ripped apart the social fabric of the state, feels Sandhu. 

Similar sentiments were echoed by Vijay Kamboj, a retired government teacher. He said, “Haryana, once called the land of chhattis biradari (36 communities) is now Paintees + Ek (35 plus one). Ahead of the municipal elections, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had cited his Punjabi identity to garner voters. The message is clearer now. Look at the candidates fielded against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son Deepender Hooda. Both are non-Jats. What message do they want to convey?” 

However, Sandhu also points to another important issue – farmers’ distress across the state. I am from a peasants’ family and I know how distressing last three years have been for us. Contrary to the promise of 1.5 times price of the produce, we sold two fine varieties of Basmati rice at a loss of Rs 1,500 per quintal. We have sold Jhiri and 2111 (a type of Basmati rice) approximately at Rs 5,000 per quintal. These types were grown for export; government wanted it to be available for the local markets too. So, they reduced the minimum support price but local traders did not show any interest in it. Net result: we have been facing losses three years in a row." 

On the other hand, Rampal, a BJP supporter, argues that no corruption took place in the recruitment of 16,000 group D employees. “Earlier, you needed either political patronage or money to get your children recruited, but it was transparent this time,” he claimed. However, many government job aspirants do not buy his argument. Anita, a tutor, who had passed the state eligibility test for teachers in 2009, but had not got a government job. “The government took another test in 2017, declared the results next year, and finally appointments took place this year. But where is my job?” she questioned.

In these circumstances, Congress leaders believe that now is the opportunity to regain its lost ground. Reports suggest that Congress leaders, despite their infighting, are giving a tough fight to the BJP.

Navin, a Congress supporter, said that the farmers are considering giving a chance to the grand old party, especially after introduction of its NYAY scheme (Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme).

“Why should people vote for BJP? It has closed 1,500 schools in its tenure. There is no gain in supporting the,” said Navin. He also pointed out that several people have lost their jobs in Panipat, a prominent industrial hub of the state after demonetisation, which is likely to cost the BJP.

Also read: Elections 2019: Less Than 5% Women Candidates in the Fray in Haryana