INLD-BJP combine has numbers but vocal chord rests with Cong

In contrast, the Congress, which pales in front of the INLD in the numbers game, seems better gifted when it comes to the gift of the gab. It has, no doubt, lost three of its most polished orators – Birender Singh (Uchana Kalan), Khurshid Ahmed (Nuh) and Randeep Singh Surjewala (Narwana) – in the elections, most of its other vocal politicians have made it to the Assembly.

Leading the pack is former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, who though no match to Chautala in oratorial skills, has a knack for hogging the limelight with his one-liners. He will have support from Raghbir Kadiyan, Dharambir, Captain Ajay Singh Yadav, Rao Inderjit Singh, with Jai Prakash (who once headed the Chautala’s green brigade) playing the rabble-rouser.

The presence of Karan Dalal (RPI), who retained the seat despite Chautala’s efforts, in the opposition benches would only help. "If the opposition is vocal, it helps maintain balance. Had Birender and Randeep been there, things would have been even better. The government has to be accountable," says a senior Haryana bureaucrat on condition of anonymity.

Naresh Vashisht, a school teacher, agrees. "The line-up clearly indicates that if the opposition works well, the government will have to remain on its toes. It didn’t work in the last Assembly, we hope it will this time," he adds. While 32 members of the last Assembly have managed to make a comeback, the 90-member Haryana Assembly will have as many as 39 first-time contestants making it to the Assembly. Of these, 20 are from the INLD alone. The Congress has eight first-timers, with former MPs Jai Prakash (known as "JP") and O P Jindal, who won from Barwala and Hisar, being the prominent ones. Besides, five of the 11 Independents will make debut in the Assembly.