JJP's Struggle: Missing MLAs Cloud Party's Election Efforts

The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) is facing a major test in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Haryana. Out of the party's ten MLAs, seven have gone missing from the campaign trail, raising doubts about the party's strength and cohesion. 

Only three JJP MLAs are actively campaigning – Naina Chautala (party's Hisar candidate), her son Dushyant Chautala (former Deputy CM), and Amarjeet Dhanda (from Julana). The other seven MLAs – Ram Kumar Gautam, Jogiram Sihag, Ramnivas Surjakhera, Ramkaran Kala, Devender Babli, Ishwar Singh, and former minister Anoop Dhanak (hospitalized) – are absent. 

Sources claim six of the missing MLAs have revolted against the party leadership. This revolt stems from the JJP's past alliance with the BJP after splitting from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in 2018. While the JJP won 10 seats in 2019 and backed the BJP government, this move angered many JJP supporters, especially in rural Hisar. 

A political expert suggests the JJP leaders chose power over supporter sentiments by allying with the BJP. Now facing backlash, some MLAs are exploring options with rival parties, fearing loss of voter support. However, leaving the JJP risks losing benefits like pensions under the anti-defection law. So some have unofficially joined other parties while remaining JJP members on paper. For instance, the sons of MLAs Ishwar Singh and Ramkaran Kala joined Congress, but their fathers remain JJP members officially. 

Similarly, Barwala MLA Gogi Ram Sihag backs the BJP candidate but is still a JJP member. Tohana's Devender Babli and Narwana's Ramnivas Surjakhera remain silent, while Narnaund's Ram Kumar Gautam revolted but didn't quit the party.

As internal rifts and defections cloud its campaign, the JJP faces an uphill task to stay unified and energise its voter base. Its performance will significantly impact Haryana's political dynamics going forward.