The Haryana elections will be held in a single phase, with the BJP looking at a return to power and the Congress raring to wrest it from them. The Chautalas of Haryana, who are mostly in the Jannayak Janta Party and the Indian National Lok Dal, will be looking to revive Chaudhary Devi Lal's legacy.
Before you delve into the nitty-gritty of the Haryana Assembly election and the exit polls, take a look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the BJP.
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Strengths Of BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has had a few setbacks, this year will be banking on its ability to bounce back. Earlier in March, the party managed to stay in power after a major crisis when its alliance with the JJP broke.
The BJP's women-centric election campaigns across India, which it extended to Haryana, have made it popular among women voters.
With unemployment being a big issue in Haryana, the BJP has promised in its manifesto to set up 10 industrial cities and generate employment for 50,000 youths in each zone.
The BJP has been focusing on sports over the last few years. After Neeraj Chopra, also from Haryana, won back-to-back Olympic medals and Gold in several global events, the BJP has been harping on its Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Now, the BJP has promised to set up 'Olympic Nurseries' in every district of Haryana if it comes to power.
Weaknesses Of BJP In Haryana
After nine years in power, the BJP is clearly battling an anti-incumbency wave in Haryana.
The farmers' protests of 2019-20 and the ongoing agitation will definitely dent the BJP's chances.
The BJP saw an ugly breakup with Dushyant Chautala's JJP in March. This led to the fall of the Manohar Lal Khattar government just before the Lok Sabha elections. The impact of the breakup was seen in the Parliamentary polls as well as BJP lost 5 of the 10 seats it held. Its vote share dropped as well by nearly 12%. If the BJP fails to pick up its momentum, it can kiss its chance at a hat-trick in Haryana goodbye.
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Opportunities For BJP
The exit of the old faces has given an opportunity to 60 new candidates. Leaders like Manju Hooda, Captain Yogesh Bairagi, and Krishan Kumar are now raring to fight and make their marks in Haryana politics.
Caste features at the top of the list of issues in the Haryana elections. While the BJP is likely to lose some Jat votes, owing to its split with the JJP, it is consolidating its General category vote base. Most of its candidates come from the Brahmin, Rajput, Baniya, Punjabi and Khatri communities. These communities together comprise nearly 50% of the population of Haryana.
Threats To The BJP
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's statements perceived as 'anti-farmers' could further dent its support among the agrarian community, despite it pulling up Ranaut.
Heavyweights, like Ranjit Chautala and Devendra Kadyan, getting ousted for contesting the Haryana Assembly polls and the infighting in BJP over ticket allocation are also working against the party.
The Congress's similar strategy to woo women, youths, and farmers, and its moves to consolidate Jat and minority votes are a big threat to the BJP.