Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, expressed the Congress party’s readiness for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state legislative Assembly elections. Following the BJP’s victory in three out of four states on December 3, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also asserted the state’s preparedness for synchronized polls.
Analyzing the impact of Congress losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh on Haryana politics, Hooda highlighted the significance of the Congress winning 29 out of 34 seats in Rajasthan adjoining Haryana. He interpreted this outcome as a precursor to the expectations in Haryana, emphasizing that across four states, including Telangana, the Congress secured 10 lakh more votes than the BJP.
Addressing the influence of the Modi factor, Hooda pointed out a notable contrast between the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, where Prime Minister Modi was re-elected, and the subsequent state legislative Assembly elections in which the BJP’s seat count dwindled to 40.
Responding to inquiries about the organizational strength of the BJP, Hooda remarked on their reliance on ‘panna pramukhs’ (page in-charges) and contrasted it with the Congress’s more extensive outreach. He claimed that the Congress has reached people’s homes and boasts approximately 10 lakh workers in Haryana.
The readiness of both major political parties for simultaneous elections reflects the evolving dynamics and strategies in the political landscape. Hooda’s observations regarding the Congress’s performance in neighboring states and the contrasting fortunes of the BJP in Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections underscore the nuanced factors influencing electoral outcomes. The emphasis on organizational strength and grassroots presence signals the importance both parties attribute to connecting with voters at the local level.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, these statements and analyses provide insights into the strategies and expectations of key political players. The prospect of simultaneous elections adds an additional layer of complexity to the political scenario, shaping the narrative for future electoral battles. The engagement of political workers and leaders at the grassroots level emerges as a critical aspect, reflecting the evolving nature of political campaigns and the pursuit of voter outreach beyond traditional methods.