Opinion Now there are five

But what may prove to be most fortuitous for the Congress is that,for the first time since the state’s formation in 1966,the opposition parties have not been able to form an alliance. Thus the state would witness five-cornered contests,with the Congress being challenged by the INLD,the BJP,the BSP and the HJC in all the 90 constituencies — and then there are the independents. It is not that these parties did not try to forge alliances. The BSP had formally declared an alliance with the HJC,which is headed by former chief minister Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi. Problems cropped up when Mayawati refused to go along with Bishnoi’s demand that he be projected as the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance.

The BJP and the INLD had contested several elections in alliance,including the recent Lok Sabha elections when both parties drew a blank,but failed to come to an agreement this time due to differences over seat sharing. There were also reports of the INLD and the BSP trying to accommodate each other,but it could not be worked out. The INLD has now given two of the 90 seats to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to call it a token alliance with the ruling party from neighbouring Punjab.

Political observers believe that the five-cornered contests would benefit the Congress in most of the constituencies,with the division of votes among the four opposition parties. However,the other parties have their pockets of influence where the Congress candidates could face a tough time. For instance,the INLD has a stronghold in the Sirsa district and some of its candidates,including Chautala’s son Ajay Chautala,appear invincible. Similarly,the HJC has its stronghold in Hisar where Jasma Devi,Bhajan Lal’s wife,is contesting. It may be recalled that Bhajan Lal alone had withstood the Congress tide in the recent Lok Sabha elections. And while the BJP wields influence in some urban segments,the BSP enjoys support in over half a dozen reserved constituencies and may benefit from the five-cornered contests there. The number of such constituencies is,however,not significant enough to tilt the balance.

Another interesting aspect of the elections is that after dominating the state’s politics for over four decades none of the famous Lals of Haryana — Devi Lal,Bansi Lal and Bhajan Lal — is in the fray this time. While Devi Lal,who rose to become deputy prime minister,and Bansi Lal,more famous nationally as defence minister,are no more,Bhajan Lal is now an MP and has fielded his wife from his old constituency. Yet,the legacy of the three Lals continues to be a major factor. Bhajan Lal has floated the HJC while the INLD is run by the Devi Lal clan. There is,however,a dispute over Bansi Lal’s political inheritance. Congress leader Kiran Choudhary,his daughter-in-law,claims the mantle while his elder son,Ranbir Mohindra,also from the Congress,claims that he represents Bansi Lal’s family. Ironically,it is another “political family” of Haryana which holds greatest sway. Chief Minister Hooda’s grandfather and father were ministers in undivided Punjab while his son recently won his Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin.

The Congress is leaning heavily on its development agenda while the divided opposition also remains divided over issues to be raised against the ruling party. Obviously the Congress is hoping to repeat a feat it achieved nearly 40 years ago,in 1972,when it last retained power in the state.

vipin.pubby@expressindia.com