The large-scale violence during the Jat reservation agitation that claimed more than 30 lives, the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in rape cases and the split in the Indian National Lok Dal a few months ago are three factors that could influence results in at least half a dozen Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana.
Though the Jat and non-Jat division in Haryana is not new, but it was the large-scale violence and arson during the Jat reservation agitation in February 2016 during BJP rule that further widened the divide between the two communities. More than three years after the violence, the ghost of the stir has now returned to haunt the political fraternity in Haryana, especially in Rohtak, which bore its brunt.
Seeking re-election from Rohtak Lok Sabha seat for a fourth consecutive term, Deepender Singh Hooda — though he enjoys support among the electorate — seems to have a tough electoral battle on the cards. A Jat, he has been pitted against the BJP’s Arvind Sharma, a Brahmin.
It would also cast its shadow on Sonipat Lok Sabha seat where Mr. Bhupinder Hooda himself is caught in a electoral battle with BJP’s Ramesh Chander Kaushik.
Besides, it could prove to be a spoilsport for BJP’s Brijendra Singhin Hisar, with reports suggesting that the Sainis, hit adversely by the reservation agitation, are annoyed with the State government for its response to the situation then. Similarly, the agitation could also hurt the prospects of Congress in Karnal and Kurukshetra tilting the scales in favour of the BJP, largely seen as a non-Jat outfit.
Dera chief case
Upset with the BJP government over the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who had lent support to the party in 2014 Assembly election helping it in around a dozen seats, his supporters seem alienated this time around for obvious reasons. It could impact the prospects of BJP in Sirsa, the headquarters of the Dera, and Ambala, which has a significant support base for Gurmeet.
The split in the INLD leading to the birth of JJP has, indeed, hit both the parties hard. It would hurt the prospects of both the parties in Hisar and Sirsa, held by the INLD in the outgoing Lok Sabha, the most.