Namesakes galore in Haryana polls

Kavita Jain, a sitting MLA, says it is a cheap ploy used by the opposition parties to cut into her votes

Raj Singh Mor, INLD candidate from Narnaud, faces a strange predicament. He is contesting against Captain Abhimanyu of the BJP as well as three independent candidates with the name Raj Singh. While two of the Raj Singhs are farmers, another claims to be in private service.

Like Raj Singh Mor, who is a retired IPS officer, there are several candidates from different parties in the fray who have their namesakes contesting as independents. Leaders said that due to similar names, confusion among voters is likely to lead to loss of votes. There have been instances in the past where namesakes have led to loss of a few hundred to several thousand votes. In areas where the contest is close, this could clinch the election results for many candidates.

Raj Singh, son of Bhale Ram, states that the Hooda government has done nothing. He says he has been raising the issue of lack of water supply to villages. To avoid confusion over the similar names, wherever he campaigns, the name of his village is announced, he added.

Story continues below this ad

Another Raj Singh, son of Prem Singh, says he knows he will not win. However, he wants to raise certain issues like corruption and lack of basic amenities which he feels will get noticed when he campaigns. He admits that no party would have given him a ticket, so he is contesting as an independent.

In Sonepat constituency, where Kavita Jain is the BJP contestant, there are two independent candidates named Kavita in the fray. As per their affidavits, both are in private service.

Jain, who is the sitting MLA from the constituency, says it is a cheap ploy used by the opposition parties to cut into her votes. “However, people of the constituency are not fools. They can see through the tricks of the opposition. We will win the election by a thumping margin. Modiji is coming to campaign here on Wednesday. The BJP will surely have its CM in Haryana this time, which will ensure development of the state,” she says.

Against BJP candidate Kanwar Pal, his namesake is contesting as an independent candidate. In Hisar, BJP candidate Dr Kamal Gupta will face another Dr Kamal Gupta. In Sohna constituency, Congress candidate Rohtash Bedi is faced with two independent candidates Rohtash Khatana and Rohtash Singh.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram