Confusion in Haryana BJP: CM and State President at Odds Over Election Constituency

A surprising disagreement has emerged within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, just days before the release of their first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. The controversy centers around the constituency from which Chief Minister Nayab Saini will contest.

On Friday, during a roadshow in Karnal, CM Saini firmly stated, "I will contest the election from Karnal." This declaration directly contradicts the earlier announcement made by BJP State President Mohan Lal Barodia, who had said that the Chief Minister would be contesting from the Ladwa constituency.

Addressing the contradiction, Saini remarked, "Mohan Lal Barodia is the State President; he might have more information than me. The list of applicants has been presented to the central leadership. The final decision lies with the Parliamentary Board. I will contest from Karnal."

Why Karnal Might Be Challenging for Saini

1. Demographic Concerns

Karnal has a significant Punjabi voter base of about 64,000 votes, while Saini's community only accounts for about 5,800 votes. The total OBC votes in the constituency are around 35,000. This demographic makeup could pose challenges for Saini, who belongs to the OBC category.

2. Anti-incumbency Factors

Karnal has been the Chief Minister's constituency for the past decade. While this might seem advantageous, it also brings the risk of anti-incumbency sentiment. The constant protests and demonstrations in a CM's constituency, coupled with limited direct interaction between the CM and constituents, could work against Saini. 

3. Internal Party Dynamics

There are concerns about potential internal sabotage. Sources close to the CM suggest that the team formerly loyal to ex-CM Manohar Lal Khattar may not be fully supportive of Saini. Additionally, local BJP leaders who had hoped for a chance to contest might resist Saini's candidacy, fearing a five-year wait if he wins. 

The Case for Ladwa

Ladwa, located in Kurukshetra, has over 195,000 voters. It includes about 50,000 Jat votes and more than 47,000 votes from the Saini community. Importantly, there are over 90,000 OBC votes in this constituency.  The significant presence of OBC and Saini community voters makes Ladwa an attractive option for the CM. However, it's worth noting that in the 2019 elections, BJP's candidate from the Saini community lost to Congress by 12,637 votes. 

As the Haryana Elections 2024 approach, this internal disagreement within the BJP adds an intriguing dimension to the political landscape. The Haryana Story will continue to monitor these developments closely, providing updates on the BJP's candidate list and campaign strategies.

The final decision on CM Saini's constituency will be crucial for the BJP's electoral prospects and could significantly impact the party's performance in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Stay tuned to The Haryana Story for more updates on this evolving situation.