The mandate of Haryana election has soared the excitement in the BJP. Following the victory, former Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia is being given the credit for his contribution in the lead. He played an important role as in-charge of the state in the spectacular victory in Haryana.
Poonia›s strategy was crucial to the party›s victory. When he was appointed as the in-charge of Haryana, few anticipated that BJP would achieve such a remarkable win. Following 10 years of anti-incumbency and disappointing Lok Sabha results, there was a pervasive sense of disillusionment. However, Poonia confidently asserted from the outset that the BJP would secure a third term. Notably, he was the first leader to directly challenge Congress on the issues of backward classes and Dalit representation, urging them to have the courage to declare a backward candidate as chief minister. This bold challenge shifted the political landscape and put Congress on the defensive.
BJP started making Congress play on its own pitch. Along with the issue of Dalits and backward classes, BJP also became aggressive on the issue of reservation. Its result was that Congress got entangled in Dalit politics. The displeasure of senior Congress leader Kumari Selja became a big weapon of BJP. Poonia not only made the politics of backward classes an issue but also managed the politics of Jats. Congress had the highest expectations from the Jat voters.
BJP high command made its first move by giving the responsibility of Haryana to Poonia. He visited each assembly seat and directly communicated with the workers and slowly started motivating the disappointed workers. Poonia got full support of the party high command and the Sangh. However, after the disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh took control of Haryana and started working in its own way.
The Sangh held more than 1500 small and big meetings in its own way. Congress did not realise this. Senior leader of the Sangh, Arun Kumar himself was keeping an eye on Haryana. Meanwhile, Poonia kept on wooing the Jat voters. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Organisation General Secretary B.L. Santosh, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and all the big leaders became active in their own way.
As the BJP launched an attack on Congress, the opposition party was plagued by internal conflicts. Congress found itself ensnared in Poonia›s and the BJP›s strategic manoeuvres. When they finally recognised that Dalit voters were drifting away, they hurriedly reinstated Ashok Tanwar, but it was too late to make a significant impact. BJP not only captured the support of Dalit voters but also made inroads among Jat constituents. They effectively exploited Congress›s strategic missteps to their advantage.
