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Haryana News: The Congress party issued its second list of candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections on September 8, 2024. This is just two days after the first announcement that the party made on September 6, in a sure run-up to the party contesting the high-profile election. Haryana’s 90 Assembly seats will go to polls in a single phase on October 5, with the results scheduled to be announced on October 8.
The second list is of nine candidates which include prominent names. Mohit Grover from Gurugram, Ashok Arora from Thanesar, Kuldeep Sharma from Ganaur and Brijendra Sing from Tohana. Further, Manju Choudhary has been selected to contest for Nangal Chaudhary seat. The announcement came at a critical time for the Congress, which seeks to consolidate its position in view of an impending competitive election in a state that has emerged as a battleground between national and regional parties.
First List of Candidates, Induction of Olympians
Just days before the issuance of this second list, on 6 September, Congress had announced its first list comprising 31 candidates. This was in tune with the high-profile induction of two Olympian athletes, namely Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, into the Congress fold. These two sports icons joined the party under the leadership of veteran Congress leader KC Venugopal.
Inclusion of Phogat and Punia into the Congress party was a strategic one aimed at boosting the party’s image and appeal, especially for the youth and sports enthusiasts in the state. Both athletes are über-popular, and their joining the Congress could provide serious momentum for the party in Haryana, a state traditionally inclined toward sports, particularly wrestling.
Olympians’ Part in Congress’ Campaign Strategy
The move of Phogat and Punia into the Congress party becomes a part of the broader strategy to inject fresh energy into the party’s campaign and strike a chord with the electorate in Haryana. Considering their international standing and wider appeal, such athletes might even draw the youths’ interest in support of the party’s chances in this election. The Congress party is positioning itself as a champion of Haryana’s wrestling culture, and the association of these two icons with the party strengthens that narrative.
Phogat is a well-known wrestler, and Punia won his medal in the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Apart from being sports icons, they are also public figures in the state. Their participation is not symbolic either, as both athletes are active advocates for social justice, equality, and welfare for sportspersons, causes Congress has advocated. Their induction gives a whole new dimension to the party’s campaign and brings sports, politics, and social reform together under one manifesto.
Haryana News: Vinesh Phogat Hits the Campaign Trail
Phogat wasted no time in launching her election campaign. She hit the campaign trail, actively meeting voters on September 8, as the Congress candidate for the Julana seat. This comes days after she joined the party.
During a rally in this campaign, Phogat, talking about the love and respect given to her by the people of her state, said, “I have forgotten the pain that I had to go through because of the love and respect that I’ve got from you.” She meant regarding her major setback at the Paris Olympics. “Therefore, I’ll remain thankful if I’m able to reduce your sufferings,” she said amid applause from the audience. Phogat also invoked the historical importance of the land of Jind from where she comes and the bravery of its people.
From Athlete to Politician
The move from athlete to politician is a new career phase for Phogat. During the meeting with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, she made it very clear that her political journey was not to attain power but to serve and fight for justice on a new platform. Growing supremacy of communities, striving for social justice, is part of Congress’s bigger vision; hence, the political foray by Phogat is timely and effective.
Having been a wrestler, Phogat automatically has an edge in connecting to a big, rural voter base like Haryana, which respects its sportspersons. The Julana seat that she is contesting promises a keen fight; still, the reputation and work ethics of Phogat may give her a lead. The Congress party has placed its high stake on her ability to galvanize support in this region.
Seat-sharing talks between Congress and AAP are ongoing in the run-up to the Haryana Assembly elections. Both parties aspire to contest in alliance and therefore present a bigger challenge before the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP and other regional forces. Yet, not everyone in Congress is in approval of this tie-up.
The joining of forces with AAP has created some apprehension among some Congress leaders, who feel this very alliance may boomerang. Indeed, the rise of AAP as a political force has seen it successfully govern Delhi, whereas the rapid expansion into other states such as Haryana by AAP has raised eyebrows among some Congress members. While the seat-sharing negotiations continue, these talks are a tightrope that Congress has to walk with the potential alliance coming at a potential chipping away of its committed voters.
Seat Allocation and AAP’s Role
Going by reports, the two parties have agreed upon a seat-sharing arrangement and AAP is all ready to contest five seats in Haryana elections. Sources close to the development said the alliance is likely to get finalised by September 9. In this regard, senior Congress leader Deepak Babaria and AAP’s Raghav Chadha are holding positive talks. And as expected, a mutual beneficial agreement is reached between the two parties.
The involvement of AAP in the electoral landscape of Haryana gives a fresh dimension to the contest. Though AAP has been aggressively pursuing neighboring states like Punjab, its presence in Haryana is relatively new. The tie-up with Congress will help AAP capitalize on the latter’s established base among voters, while Congress will gain from the progressive appeal and strong show by AAP in urban areas. In case this alliance works, it may turn out to be another strong challenger against BJP in Haryana.
Impact the Tie-Up would have on the Election Outcome
An alliance between Congress and AAP, if it materializes, could mark a dramatic turn in the course of Assembly elections in Haryana. In the eventuality of such an alliance, the two parties together share resources and mobilize more urban and rural voters. AAP’s clean record of governance combined with Congress’ established machinery could be an unbeatable combination.
But the alliance will work only when both parties demonstrate equal determination to sort out the internal differences and stick together through thick and thin in the election process. Given that many Congress leaders were uncomfortable with AAP, their alliance needed to demonstrate cohesion and showed one vision for the future of Haryana. If these challenges are overcome, there is an opportunity presented for both parties to create a new social and political equation in the state.
Challenges Ahead for Congress
Although the declaration of its lists of candidates and the induction of Olympians such as Phogat and Punia have given Congress a boost, there are several problems the party could face in the run-up to elections. Its alliance with AAP is not universally accepted within the party, and internal divisions could prove to be an obstacle in mounting an integrated campaign. Besides, the ruling BJP remains a dominant force in Haryana and will not be easily unseated.
Success for the Congress party will be determined by their ability to mobilize the voters of all demographies and put forth an appealing vision for the future. With the induction of high-profile figures like Phogat and Punia, Congress seems to intimate that it wants to usher in change and reform. But to fulfill this hope in the month of October, the party has to sort out its internal strife and carefully balance its alliance with the emerging AAP.
Conclusion: The High Stakes Election in Haryana
With the Assembly elections in Haryana inching closer, the Congress is all geared up for a high-pitched fight. The party is gradually moving towards declaring its complete list of candidates with the release of its second list. The induction of Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia gave it a fresh dimension, while the ongoing seat-sharing talks with AAP might redefine the electoral contest.
While internal and external challenges are ‘on’ for the Congress, forthcoming elections have brought an opportunity for the main opposition party to revive its fortunes in Haryana. With public support, alliances, and service and nyay, Congress gears up to give a tough competition in the 2024 Assembly elections.