As Haryana prepares for its assembly elections scheduled for October 1, all major political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress, are intensely deliberating their ticket distribution strategies. Following the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and Congress are considered to be in close competition. Both parties are facing a deluge of applicants; the Congress has 2,556 candidates vying for tickets, and a similar scenario is unfolding within the BJP.
Political families with significant influence in Haryana are also prominent in this ticket scramble. Members from the families of three former Chief Ministers are actively seeking tickets from both major parties. Prominent figures such as Union Ministers Krishan Pal Gujjar, Rao Inderjeet, and MP Dharambir Singh are also pushing for tickets for their descendants. Notably, Savitri Jindal, mother of MP Naveen Jindal, is hoping for a BJP ticket from Hisar. Despite this, both the BJP and Congress have stated that ticket distribution will focus on candidates with the best chances of winning, rather than on the stature of the applicants.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal’s family, currently divided, is making headlines. His son, Ranjit Singh, a cabinet minister in the BJP-led state government, is contesting for the Rania seat. However, his bid faces challenges as Chief Minister Naib Saini recently suggested an alliance with Gopal Kanda’s Haryana Lokhit Party (Halopa), which has fielded Dhawal Kanda for Rania. Ranjit Singh’s public criticism of the party could jeopardize his chances, as dissent is considered a serious breach of discipline within the BJP. Additionally, Jagdish Chautala’s son, Aditya Chautala, is a contender for the Dabwali seat, while Amit Sihag, an MLA from Dabwali, is vying for a Congress ticket.
The family of former Chief Minister Chaudhary Bansi Lal is also in the mix. His daughter-in-law, Kiran Chaudhary, who recently joined the BJP and was made a Rajya Sabha candidate, is now contending for the Tosham seat for her daughter, Shruty Chaudhary. Conversely, Bansi Lal’s second son, Anirudh Chaudhary, is competing for a Congress ticket. The rivalry between Kiran and Ranbir Mahendra, Bansi Lal’s other son, is notable, but both are expected to secure tickets from their respective parties.
Chaudhary Bhajanlal’s family, another influential name, also sees division between his sons. Kuldeep Bishnoi, who joined the BJP in 2022 after leaving Congress, is hopeful for a ticket from Adampur, while his brother, Chandramohan, remains with Congress and is a strong contender for the Panchkula seat. With the BJP potentially revising its policy of “one family, one ticket” due to the anti-incumbency sentiment, Kuldeep’s prospects may improve if the party decides to allocate multiple tickets to the same family. Chandramohan, aligned with Kumari Selja’s camp, faces a different set of challenges. The BJP, which has traditionally opposed dynasty politics, may deviate from its policy to accommodate influential political families, as it grapples with maintaining its hold on power amid rising anti-incumbency. The party is considering fielding new faces in many constituencies while managing the expectations of prominent political families.