Ministers get mandate to rebuild BJP base in 42 Assembly segments
Despite securing a third consecutive term in Haryana, the BJP is not resting easy. In a strategic move to reclaim lost ground and strengthen its grassroots presence, the party has assigned 42 Assembly segments —where it faced defeat in the 2024 elections — to its ministers and MLAs. The move also reflects a careful balancing of caste equations and regional representation, particularly in Congress and regional strongholds.
Three ministers have been fielded as observers in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts — strongholds of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. These districts fall under the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, where the Hooda family has triumphed in 10 parliamentary elections. The seat is currently held by Deepender Singh Hooda.
In a symbolic and strategic decision, Cooperation Minister Arvind Sharma, who defeated Deepender in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has been appointed observer for Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, the Vidhan Sabha seat represented by Bhupinder Singh Hooda himself.
“His deployment in Kiloi is seen as a tactical move to build BJP’s base in the heart of Hooda’s bastion and hit where it hurts most,” a party source said.
Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goyal has been made observer for Rohtak Assembly segment, which has a strong presence of the trading community. Notably, BJP leader and former Rohtak mayor Man Mohan Goyal also belongs to this community. The seat is currently held by Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra, who won the last two elections after closely fought contests.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has been assigned Jhajjar (Reserved), represented by five-time MLA Geeta Bhukkal, a senior Congress leader and former Education Minister. The BJP is attempting to tap into the Yadav vote bank in the area through her appointment.
Charkhi Dadri MLA Suneel Sangwan, a Jat leader, has been appointed observer for Meham, a seat dominated by the Jat community. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Krishan Lal Midha has been appointed to Pehowa, with an eye on the Punjabi voter base, while Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana has been sent to Naraingarh, once represented by CM Nayab Singh Saini.
Recognising the Chautala family’s influence in Sirsa, the BJP has appointed Social Welfare Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi (Sirsa), Irrigation Minister Shruti Choudhry (Ellenabad), and MLA Kapoor Singh Balmiki (Rania) as observers. While Bedi represents Narwana, a segment under Sirsa parliamentary seat, the inclusion of two Dalit leaders is being seen as a calculated effort to woo Dalit voters, particularly since the seat is represented in Parliament by senior Congress leader Kumari Selja, known for her Dalit support base.
Nuh district, a Congress stronghold, has not been assigned any BJP heavyweight. However, OP Yadav, a loyalist of Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh, has been appointed observer for Firozpur Jhirka, which comes under the same parliamentary seat.
In Hisar, a region of recent electoral setbacks, the BJP has appointed Krishan Lal Panwar (Adampur) and Rajesh Nagar (Hisar) as observers. The party is keen to revive the support base of late CM Bhajan Lal, whose family faced a jolt after Bhavya Bishnoi, his grandson and outgoing MLA, lost to Congress’ Chander Prakash.
“The BJP is looking to reconnect with Bhajan Lal’s traditional vote bank to regain its foothold in the region,” party insiders revealed.
Haryana Tribune