Tough Questions for Haryana Leaders During Lok Sabha Elections Campaigning

The ongoing campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana has taken an unprecedented turn, with villagers and farmers posing tough questions to political leaders, particularly from the BJP and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), on a range of issues affecting their lives. 

What started as a protest against former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala in Hisar district on April 5 has gained significant momentum across several districts, including Bhiwani, Jind, and Fatehabad. Villagers are coming forward in large numbers, determined to hold their leaders accountable and seek answers on long-standing demands and concerns.

During a public meeting, a retired Subedar Major from Sisay village questioned BJP candidate Ranjit Singh about the efficiency of the Agniveer scheme, a contentious issue concerning the armed forces' recruitment process. Singh, however, deflected the query, stating that he was a state minister and not involved with central policies. 

Dushyant Chautala, the JJP leader, faced questions from farmers on issues affecting the agricultural community. When Chautala attempted to divert the conversation by accusing some individuals of assaulting women workers from his party, the farmers questioned his silence over the shooting incident involving a young farmer, Subhkaran Singh, during the farmers' agitation at the Data Singh Wala border.

In Chuli village, farm activist Satish Beniwal confronted Dushyant Chautala about the poor condition of roads in the Adampur assembly segment, claiming that BJP leader Kuldeep Bishnoi had blamed Chautala for hindering the road construction process. Dushyant responded by stating that tenders had been issued for road construction in 2024-25.

The former deputy CM attempted to strike an emotional chord, referring to himself as the "bhanja" (nephew) of the Adampur segment and questioning why the farmers were humiliating him in this manner.

JJP supremo Ajay Chautala was not spared either, facing questions in Bhiwani village about his stance during the farmers' agitation, with protesters recalling his statement that labelled the agitation as a "bimari" (disease). When asked about the drug menace in Hisar, Ajay deflected the issue, stating that it was not a matter related to the government. 

The confrontations extended to other leaders as well. JJP candidate Naina Chautala's convoy was reportedly attacked in Roj Khera village in Uchana Kalan, Jind district, while she faced protests from villagers elsewhere. BJP candidates Ranjit Singh (Hisar), Ashok Tanwar (Sirsa), and Dharambir (Bhiwani Mahendragarh) also encountered protests from villagers.

Even BJP leader Kuldeep Bishnoi was confronted by his supporters over pending demands, such as electricity supply, tubewell connections, and ownership of residential houses in five villages adjoining Hisar town.

As the campaigning trail gets bumpier, it is clear that the electorate in Haryana is determined to hold their leaders accountable and seek answers on pressing issues affecting their lives. The ongoing questioning and protests have added a new dimension to the electoral dynamics in the state, forcing political parties to address the concerns of the people directly.