Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: List of key fights shaping Haryana’s assembly polls

1. Julana- Vinesh Phogal vs Yogesh Bairagi vs Kavita Dalal

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat addresses the media after joining Congress at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi (PTI)

First up is the Julana seat in the Jind area, where the contest is set to be electrifying. The Congress has fielded Vinesh Phogat, a wrestler-turned-politician who joined the party just hours before the nominations closed on September 6. Vinesh, hailing from Balali in Charkhi Dadri, has strong ties to Julana through her in-laws’ hometown, Bakhta Khera.

Her main rival is BJP’s Captain Yogesh Bairagi, a former commercial pilot and current vice president of Haryana’s BJP youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). The AAP has added an intriguing twist by nominating Kavita Dalal, a former WWE star and India’s first female professional wrestler in WWE. So, Julana will see a three-way contest with Vinesh Phogat, Captain Bairagi, and Kavita Dalal.

2. Uchana Kalan- Dushyant Chautala vs Brijendra Singh vs Devender Attri

Dushtant Chautala

Moving to Uchana Kalan in Hisar, this seat is another major battleground. Former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala of the Jananayak Janata Party (JJP) is contesting here. In 2019, Dushyant, a California State University graduate and great-grandson of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, won by a significant margin against BJP’s Prem Lata.

The Congress has nominated Brijendra Singh, a former IAS officer who recently left the BJP, while the BJP has put up Devender Attri, a newcomer with strong local connections. AAP is fielding Pawan Fauji. With Jats being the dominant group, making up one-third of the voters, Uchana Kalan’s outcome will be pivotal.

3. Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi- Bhupinder Singh Hooda vs Manju Hooda vs Pravin Guskhani

Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi seat in Rohtak is another crucial battleground. Known as the ‘Jat heartland,’ this area is a stronghold of the Congress and the Hooda family. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Chief Minister of Haryana, is running here with a call for a decisive battle.

The BJP has nominated Manju Hooda, who is the current chairperson of the Rohtak Zila Parishad and has significant local connections through her family. Her husband, Rajesh Hooda, is a known strongman in Rohtak, and her father, Pradeep Yadav, was a Deputy Superintendent of Haryana Police. The AAP has chosen Pravin Guskhani. The competition here will be fierce, with Jats forming around 25% of the electorate.

4. Ladwa- Nayab Singh Saini vs Mewa Singh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

In Ladwa, the BJP has nominated Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to face off against Congress’s Mewa Singh, the sitting MLA. This seat, located in the north Haryana districts affected by the farmers’ movement, is significant due to its demographic composition. OBCs make up over 40% of the population, with the Saini community accounting for nearly 19%. The constituency was carved out in 2009, and no party has won it twice.

5. Ellenabad- Abhay Singh Chautala vs Amir Chand Mehta vs Bharat Singh Beniwal

Abhay Singh Chautala

In Ellenabad, Sirsa district, senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala is seeking re-election. Despite a poor showing in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Abhay has held this seat since 2010. The INLD recently formed an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which will contest 37 of the 90 seats. The alliance is banking on the Jat and Scheduled Caste votes, promising various incentives. BJP’s candidate is Amir Chand Mehta, a farmer and district president of Sirsa, while Congress has named Bharat Singh Beniwal, and AAP has chosen Manish Arora.

6. Kaithal-Aditya Surjewala  vs Satbir Goyal vs Leela Ram Gurjar

Aditya Surjewala

Lastly, in Kaithal, the Congress has fielded Aditya Surjewala, the son of prominent party MP Randeep Surjewala. Aditya’s father is a key figure in the party and was a two-time MLA from this constituency. In 2019, BJP’s Leela Ram won Kaithal by a narrow margin against Randeep Singh Surjewala. With this seat being a family stronghold, Aditya’s campaign will be closely watched.

AAP has fielded Satbir Goyal and BJP has name Leela Ram Gurjar against Congress’ Aditya.