Farmers, Soldiers, and Athletes: The Key Players in Haryana's Upcoming Election

The Haryana Story brings you an in-depth look at the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, scheduled for October 5. The political landscape is heating up, with three important groups taking center stage: farmers, soldiers, and athletes. These groups, often referred to as "kisan, jawan, and pehalwan" in Hindi, are causing concern for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Why These Groups Matter

Haryana is known for its strong farming community, its contribution to the Indian military, and its successful athletes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently highlighted this, calling Haryana's farmers, soldiers, and sportspersons "dhakkad" (powerful). However, the BJP's policies affecting these groups have come under fire from opposition parties.

Farmers' Concerns

The farming community in Haryana has several grievances against the BJP government. They are demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. Farmers also remember the long protests on Delhi's borders in 2020-21 and the government's attempts to block their march to New Delhi earlier this year. Ramandeep Mann, a farmer activist, says they plan to question BJP leaders about these issues during the election campaign.

Military Recruitment Controversy

The introduction of the Agnipath scheme for military recruitment has upset many in Haryana. The state provides about 10% of India's armed forces personnel, and the new scheme is seen as unfair to aspiring soldiers. The BJP government has tried to address these concerns by promising guaranteed jobs or rehabilitation for every ex-Agniveer (those who serve under the Agnipath scheme).

Athletes' Protests and Support

The wrestling community in Haryana has been in the spotlight due to protests against a senior BJP leader accused of sexual harassment. The Congress party has nominated Olympian Vinesh Phogat, who was part of these protests, as their candidate from Julana. This move is seen as an attempt to connect emotionally with voters in the region.

BJP's Response and Opposition's Strategy

The BJP claims it has done more for farmers, soldiers, and athletes than previous governments. Party leader Varinder Garg accuses the Congress of spreading misinformation. However, the opposition, particularly the Congress party, is trying to use these issues to their advantage. They won 5 out of 10 Lok Sabha seats in the recent national elections by focusing on these concerns.

As the election draws near, The Haryana Story will continue to bring you updates on this crucial political battle. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for Haryana's future and potentially influence national politics as well.