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The upcoming Haryana assembly elections present a formidable challenge for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party faces a double whammy of anti-incumbency, stemming from its two terms in power, and internal turmoil, exemplified by a series of high-profile resignations. This turbulent landscape casts doubt on the BJP's ability to secure victory in the state.
To counter the anti-incumbency wave, the BJP, under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has implemented a series of populist measures aimed at attracting voters. These include policies targeting youth, farmers, women, the elderly, and employees. However, political analysts like Suman Bhatnagar express skepticism about the effectiveness of these schemes, deeming them mere pre-election freebies with limited long-term benefits.
The BJP's internal strife further complicates its electoral prospects. The party's first list of candidates for the election sparked discontent and resignations, including those of a cabinet minister, an MLA, and several former MLAs. These departures were fueled by accusations of the party compromising its ideology and giving tickets to turncoats. The resignation of Ranjit Singh, state minister for power, jails, and renewable energy, who announced his intention to contest as an independent from the Rania seat of Sirsa, underscores the party's internal disarray.
The infighting within the BJP has not gone unnoticed by political observers. Satish Tyagi, an author and political commentator, asserts that the resignations signal internal awareness of the party's challenging electoral landscape. He also criticizes the BJP's strategy of awarding tickets to turncoats and family dynasts, arguing that it undermines the party's ideological foundation and alienates committed cadre. The public display of discontent, such as Karan Dev Kamboj, the OBC Morcha president, declining to shake hands with Saini, reinforces the perception of internal divisions within the party.
The BJP's internal turmoil has further weakened its image as a united force. Tyagi posits that this disarray has given the Congress valuable time to solidify its own candidate selection process. Moreover, the recent changes in leadership, with the removal of Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister, have left voters questioning the BJP's strategy and the rationale behind Khattar's removal despite his seemingly successful tenure.
The upcoming Haryana elections are shaping up to be a critical test for the BJP. The party's ability to overcome the twin challenges of anti-incumbency and internal strife will determine its electoral fate. The party's reliance on populist measures and caste consolidation may not be sufficient to secure victory in the face of public dissatisfaction and internal divisions. The election results will offer a clear indication of the BJP's current standing in the state and its prospects for future success.