In Sonepat seat, rivals at their competitive best

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, April 29

Leaders of all major parties have stepped up campaigning in Sonepat, each one in his own style. Former CM and Congress candidate Bhupinder Singh Hooda and JJP-AAP candidate Digvijay Chautala entered the fray rather late. They have to cover all areas in the constituency in the next 11 days, even as the BJP candidate has taken the lead, covering more than 200 villages.

 The Sonepat constituency comprises the Deswali belt, which is considered a Hooda citadel. The former Chief Minister does not campaign daily. He visits the constituency after two days, holding public meetings in both urban and rural areas. 

 The BJP too is campaigning aggressively. Party candidate Ramesh Kaushik has covered 200 villages in 20 days, addressing both big and nukkad meetings. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has held a rally and roadshow in Sonepat’s rural belt and several meetings in the city. 

State minister Kavita Jain and media adviser to CM Rajiv Jain have been holding nukkad meetings in support of Kaushik. Clearly, it is a matter of prestige for both the Congress and the BJP.

 Digvijay Chautala, the JJP-AAP candidate, has the youth brigade taking charge of his campaign — preparing the roster and working on strategies to blunt the attack by rivals. Digvijay, who entered the fray at the last moment, leaves home early in the day. He covers about 25 villages every day, spending 30- 45 minutes in each village. 

The INLD candidate, Surender Chhikara, is not far behind. He too is going village to village, addressing crowds and seeking their support.