As the Rajya Sabha by-election scheduled for September 3, the BJP is seeing a flurry of activities as many party leaders vie for the coveted seat that has fallen vacant after Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda won the last Lok Sabha polls. The BJP is meticulously evaluating candidates, balancing caste considerations and their potential impact on the upcoming assembly election which is likely to be held in October.
There is intense focus on choosing between a Jat and a non-Jat candidate to sway the party’s fortunes in the state assembly polls.
Among the frontrunners are prominent Jat leaders, including former ministers Captain Abhimanyu and Om Prakash Dhankhar, who had served as Haryana BJP president. Additionally, Kiran Choudhary, who recently quit Congress to join the BJP, is also in the race after failing to secure a Lok Sabha ticket for her daughter. It is learnt that the party may consider non-Jat options too. Sanjay Bhatia, a former Karnal MP and a loyalist of former chief minister Manohar Lal, is also among the top contenders. Bhatia, who had won his first Lok Sabha election in 2019, with a huge margin of over 6 lakh votes, had also sacrificed his seat after party fielded Manohar Lal from Karnal.
Earlier, Bhatia’s name was also making rounds for the state BJP president but the BJP continued with its surprise factor and appointed another Mohan Lal Badoli , who even failed to win his first Lok Sabha election from Sonepat. Additionally, Bhatia’s strong influence in Punjabi dominated Karnal and Panipat cities may help the party in assembly elections in the absence of Manohal Lal. A senior BJP leader told The Daily Guardian, “The party has already sent a Jat, Subhash Barala, to the Rajya Sabha and fielded Jat candidates in the Lok Sabha. It’s less likely they will pick another Jat for this seat.”
Congress in a Bind On the opposition front, the Congress is grappling with indecision, primarily due to a lack of numbers. Concerns about potential cross-voting and allegations regarding Kirti Choudhary’s legislative status have complicated matters.
Despite a petition challenging Choudhary’s membership under anti-defection laws, no resolution has been reached. Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has indicated that the party lacks the necessary votes for a win in the 90-member assembly.
Congress sources reveal that the party leadership is waiting for the BJP’s candidate announcement before deciding their course of action. The ongoing exchanges between JJP and Congress leaders further add to the uncertainty, as the 88-member assembly includes 41 BJP legislators, supported by two independents and two JJP legislators with pending disqualification petitions.
The Election Commission of India has appointed IAS officer Saket Kumar as the Returning Officer for the by-election. The nomination deadline is August 21, with voting set for September 3 .