Battle of prestige between Congress and BJP in Haryana bypoll

After a political showdown in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, Chief Minister Manohar Lal of the BJP managed to form a government with support from the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). The Congress came second with 31 seats. But after the demise of Congress MLA Krishan Hooda, the Broda seat is lying vacant and has become a battle of prestige between the BJP and the Congress. Now the by-election is being looked at as an acid test for all the parties in Haryana. The ruling alliance has to justify its government formation, while the Congress and the INLD would do everything to win this battle.

The ruling BJP could not achieve its ambitious target of “75 paar” (more than 75 seats), despite its tall claims. The party failed to form a government solely as a result of which it took support from the JJP — the newest entrant in Haryana’s politics to form the government. But now, the Congress is trying to save its mansion in a neckto-neck battle with the BJP. The JJP is not going to field its candidate and will support the BJP’s. Broda has been a favourite seat for the Congress for a long time and the party managed to mark three consecutive victories from this seat. But now to some extent, this is a ‘do or die’ situation for all the major parties including the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) which is struggling to regain its lost political glory and has nothing to lose in the upcoming elections as it ruled the state for 16 years.

Dushyant Chautala’s JJP which is the youngest party in the state proved its worth by succeeding to some extent. The ongoing political scenario is a clear depiction of what is going to take place soon. Although four years are still left for the completion of government’s tenure but still the result of the upcoming election is likely to indicate the mood of the commoners in the state.