Page 11 - 15NOV2019E

politics

retained his Karnal constituency. The Congress witnessed a major interesting facts. First, democracy
Grover and Kamboj lost to their upset in Kaithal, where senior party lead- continues to prosper in the country. The
rivals by just over 2,000 votes, er Randeep Singh Surjewala lost to BJP’s October 24 results suggest that there is
whereas other ministers faced Leela Ram. The three-time legislator and still political space for a party or combine
defeat by over 10,000 votes. Lone Congress Party’s chief spokesperson was opposed to the BJP. Voters have again
woman minister in the Khattar cabi- defeated by a margin of 1,246 votes. It proved that they are smarter than politi-
net, Kavita Jain, a three-time MLA, was a second blow to Surjewala, who had cians, analysts, pollsters, and journalists.
lost her traditional Sonipat seat to tasted defeat in the Jind byelections early As a corollary, the results should bury
Surender Panwar of the Congress this year. the entirely unfounded perception that
by a margin of over 32,000 votes. Congress candidate and former the BJP wins by manipulating electronic
Among the other prominent faces Haryana Assembly speaker Kuldeep voting machines.
Sharma also faced defeat at the hands of Second, the BJP and Prime Minis -
BJP nominee Nirmal Rani from Ganaur. ter Narendra Modi are invincible at the
Kuldeep Sharma was defeated with a national level, but at the local level,
margin of over 10,000 votes. neither the party, nor its local leaders
Former BCCI president Ran - are. The party can be beaten — as proved
bir Singh Mahendra’s defeat was by by-elections, and assembly elections,
ahead of the national elections. And the
party can be beaten — as the NCP, the
Being the first after Congress in Haryana and the JJP have
proved — even at a time when the Oppo-
the recent Lok Sabha sition’s morale is at its lowest, and even,
polls, Haryana and ironically, in their defeat.
Third, local issues, politics and lead-
Maharashtra votings ers are important. The Congress, which
mark beginning of the did not have a popular local leader in
Maharashtra, now faces the ignominy
next round of assembly of being the fourth party in the state in
elections. Opposition terms of seats won. The NCP was led
by Sharad Pawar, 79, who, despite his
parties need to tighten indifferent health, campaigned tirelessly
and led from the front. And in Haryana,
up their buckles as Bhupinder Singh Hooda, 72, who was
BJP always remain finally given a free hand by the Congress
only as recently as a few weeks ago,
in an election mode helped the party expand considerably.
Yet again, the Congress has been served
a lesson on the importance of strong
another setback for the party. He lost to local leaders. The latest Assembly results
JJP’s Naina Chauatla from Badhra with may also force BJP ponder on strategy
a margin of over 13,000 votes. Senior to reduce dependence on Modi to win
Congress leaders Karan Dalal and Anand elections.
for the ruling BJP who tasted defeat Singh Dangi also faced defeat. Being the first after the recent Lok
in the elections was its state presi- While Dalal was trounced by BJP Sabha polls, the Haryana and Maha -
dent Subhash Barala. candidate Deepak Mangla from Palwal, rashtra votings mark the beginning of
Subhash Barala lost the con - Dangi lost to independent candidate the next round of assembly elections.
test from Tohana to Jannayak Janta Balraj Kundu from Meham. Congress Opposition parties need to tighten up
Party candidate Devender Singh candidate Ashok Arora, who switched their buckles as the BJP always remain
by a huge margin of 52,302 votes. over from the INLD before the polls, in an election mode. The saffron party
BJP’s Prem Lata, the wife of for - was defeated by BJP’s Subhash Sudha refuses to give up even if it doesn’t have
mer Union minister and promi - from Thanesar. the numbers. Thus, the Opposition par-
nent Jat leader Birender Singh, was ties need to work really hard to encash
defeated by JJP leader Dushyant Lessons to be learnt the incumbency factor of the BJP.
Chautala by 47,452 votes from Ucha- Assembly elections in Haryana and
na Kalan. Maharashtra highlight a handful of letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 november 2019 11 www.Tehelka.com