Haryana Politics: A Deciphering of the State’s Political Landscape

Rural-Urban Divide
• Haryana’s political landscape is characterized by a rural-urban divide.
• Urban regions in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Panipat, and Kurukshetra are dominated by businessmen, traders, and middle-class voters.
• The agrarian belt in the south central area, home to a significant Jat population, is closely linked to the farming sector.
Electoral Issues in Jat Belt
• Three major issues shaping the electoral discourse include Kisan (farmers’ protest and contentious farm bills), Jawan (the Agniveer scheme launched by the BJP), and Pehelwan (the wrestlers’ protest against alleged sexual harassment by BJP politician).
• Rising unemployment is also a significant issue.
Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
• OBCs, constituting over one-fourth of the population, are vying for the support of both the Congress and the BJP.
• The narrative of samvidhan khatre mein (the constitution is under threat) is a running topic in this election campaign.
Movement in Other Areas
• Support for the BJP is found in industrial regions and among businessmen, traders, and service-based communities within the OBCs.
• However, there is no visible enthusiasm for any Statelevel leadership within the BJP.
Regional Parties’ Performance
• Regional parties like the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) lack substantial organizational presence in urban centres.
• BJP and Congress have a more substantial foothold in urban areas due to their better-established organizational structures, broader appeal, and focus on urban development issues.
• Campaigning styles in both regions differ, with rural areas holding large-scale community events, while urban areas have more diffused campaigns.
OBC Stand on Congress’ Caste Census Proposal
• OBCs, comprising over one-fourth of Haryana’s population, are vying for support from both the Congress and the BJP.
• The Congress’s proposal to increase the OBC creamy layer income limit to ₹10 lakh, surpassing the BJP’s increase to ₹8 lakh, aims to increase OBC individuals’ eligibility for reservation benefits in government jobs and educational institutions.
• The party’s support for a caste census aims to address issues of social justice and representation, appealing to OBC sensibilities.
• The BJP has intensified efforts to court OBC voters, implementing policies to increase reservations in government jobs and education for OBC youth.
• Internal challenges within the BJP, such as the defection of prominent OBC leader Karan Dev Kamboj, have exposed dissent within its OBC leadership.
• The Congress’ overt Jat dominance works in favor of the BJP as it consolidates the Jat versus others binary.
New Dynamics of a Jat-Dalit Coalition
• The Congress is attempting to bridge the divide between Jat and Dalit voters in Haryana by emphasizing inclusive policies and addressing issues pertinent to both groups.
• The party is advocating for social justice measures, such as supporting a caste census and proposing economic benefits that cater to marginalised communities.
• The narrative of samvidhan khatre mein (the constitution is under threat) is a running topic in the election campaign.
• Despite internal challenges within the party’s state level leadership, the Congress continues its efforts to build a Jat-Dalit coalition.