Poonia’s entry enhances BJP’s social engineering strategy

Following the Lok Sabha election results in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, BJP strategists are approaching the upcoming Haryana assembly elections with heightened caution. This time, the BJP plans to emphasize social engineering to secure a win. Although the party previously succeeded by promoting Jat vs non-Jat politics in the last two elections, it is now highlighting Jat leaders. This shift began with the appointment of Satish Poonia, the former president of Rajasthan BJP, to oversee the party’s efforts in Haryana.
Satish Poonia, veteran leader who comes from the Jat community and is a popular grassroots leader. He has been given a prime responsibility of leading the state. Additionally, Poonia is the only Jat leader in the BJP organization who has been made in-charge. From today, he has also started a two-day tour of the state. After Hisar, Rohtak, he will meet workers in Jhajjar on ThursdayIn Rajasthan, the party high command removed him from the post of state president at a time when the assembly elections were about to be announced.
Congress highlighted the neglect of Jats as a major issue, leading to BJP’s defeat in Jat-dominated areas. In the Lok Sabha elections, Congress secured 5 to 6 seats in these regions. Now, the BJP faces challenges not only from the Jats but also from the PDA (backward classes, Dalits, and minorities). Congress and SP have formed an alliance to target these groups in the Lok Sabha elections, a strategy that proved successful in Uttar Pradesh. In Haryana, Congress has also garnered significant support from Dalits, backward classes, and Muslims.
This has heightened the challenge for BJP. However, Congress also faces obstacles in Haryana. Firstly, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has demanded a share, eyeing 10 to 11 seats, particularly in Yadav-dominated areas. Congress has declared its intention to contest the elections alone, which could strain its relationship with SP.
Additionally, Congress faces internal divisions. Former CM Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Shailja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Birendra Singh each have their own political influence. Congress will rely on Jat politics to compete with BJP. In response, BJP has appointed experienced Jat leader Satish Poonia to manage their campaign. Although Poonia is a Jat, he has influence across various sections.
BJP also has other influential Jat leaders like Kiran Chaudhary, Shruti Chaudhary, and Ranjit Singh Chautala. Furthermore, Dushyant Chautala’s JJP will contest the elections separately, potentially dividing Jat voters. BJP’s current CM, Nayab Singh Saini, is an OBC, and former CM Manohar Lal Khattar is from the Punjabi community, making BJP’s social engineering stronger than Congress’s. Poonia’s leadership aims to manage all sections effectively. The Haryana elections are crucial for both Congress and BJP, with results likely impacting national politics.