Haryana’s Dynasts Are Up Against the Modi Factor in LS Elections

Almost all BJP candidates in Haryana aren’t well-known faces but are banking on the Modi factor.

PM Narendra Modi during a rally for Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

(Photo: PTI)

For decades, Haryana politics was synonymous with the fascinating power struggle among three Lals -- Devi Lal, Bansi Lal and Bhajan Lal.

However, the younger generations of the Lal clans, who are in the fray for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, are up against not just each other, but a new challenge -- the Modi factor.

Almost all BJP candidates in Haryana are not well-known faces but are in contention due to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the other hand, the dynasts are seeking votes in the names of their great-grandfathers, grandfathers and fathers.

While addressing public meetings, they repeatedly targeted Modi and his government's policies, with hardly any mention of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Shruti Choudhary, Congress nominee from Bhiwani, invoked the legacy of her grandfather and former Haryana chief minister late Bansi Lal at her rallies.

Congress candidate from Hisar, Bhavya Bishnoi, is also counting on the legacy of his grandfather Bhajan Lal, another former chief minister of Haryana.

Choudhary is pitted against BJP's sitting MP, Dharambir Singh, who is a known face.

Bishnoi is in a three-way contest with two other dynasts -- sitting Hisar MP and Jannayak Janata Party founder Dushyant Chautala and BJP's Brijendra Singh.

While Chautala comes from one of the most prominent political clans in Haryana, Singh is the son of Union Minister Birendra Singh.

In his speeches, Chautala also spoke at length about his late great grandfather Devi Lal, another former chief minister of Haryana, and the work done by him.

Both Choudhary and Bishnoi described their BJP rivals as “politically lightweight” and suggested that they are fighting against Modi.

Chautala echoed similar sentiments.

“Actually the contest is with Modi and and as far as BJP candidates are concerned, they can’t contest election on their own.”

Deposits of BJP candidates will be forfeited if they contest on their name or that of Khattar.

Choudhary said she talked about her grandfather as he did a lot for Bhiwani and her family had maintained personal relations with people of the town.

Bishnoi also hopes to get the blessings of all sections of society like his grandfather.

Rohtak too is set for a similar contest.

Sitting Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, scion of the influential Hooda clan, will take on BJP's Arvind Sharma in Rohtak.

Hooda has reminded voters of the development work done by him and by his father Bhupinder Singh Hooda -- a former two-time Haryana chief minister.

He also attacked Modi and his government on issues of farm distress and demonetisation.

The BJP has no vision for the state and it has nothing to offer besides Modi, Hooda said.

“Loyalty for family is stronger than loyalty for party in Haryana and perhaps that is the reason why parties, other than the BJP, have relied on dynasts.”

B D Sharma, Ex-Head, Political Science Department, Kurukshetra University 

Talking about dynastic politics in Haryana, , said,

Even if the dynasts switch parties or form a new party, the loyalty for their families remains, he said.

Describing the fight in Haryana as a clash of personalities, Sharma said it is not a contest between parties, but between Modi, a national figure, and a regional strongman and his family's legacy.

Nine members of prominent political families are in the fray in Haryana including five from the Congress, two from the JJP and one each from the BJP and the Indian National Lok Dal.

Voting for all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held on 12 May.