ASSEMBLY POLL 2024: Direct face-off between BJP & Cong in Karnal

As the election campaign intensifies in Karnal, the Assembly segment is gearing up for a direct face-off between the BJP and the Congress. With the BJP fielding first-time candidate Jagmohan Anand, former media coordinator to ex-CM Manohar Lal Khattar, and the Congress pinning its hopes on two-time MLA Sumita Singh, the contest is heating up. Other parties such as AAP, the INLD-BSP and the JJP are also contesting the seat. AAP has fielded Sunil Bindal, INLD-BSP Surjeet Pehalwan and the JJP is banking on Jitender Royal. Political observers believe that the real battle seems to be between the BJP and the Congress for the seat that was previously represented by former CM Manohar Lal Khattar and current CM Nayab Singh Saini.

Anand is relying on development works done by the BJP government in the past 10 years to retain the seat for the BJP as Khattar remained the CM for over nine years, while CM Saini was elected the MLA on June 4. Anand emphasised the progress made under the BJP tenure, urging voters to focus on the party’s achievements. “Under the leadership of Manohar Lal Khattar and Nayab Singh Saini, Karnal has seen unprecedented growth. Development has always been a priority for the BJP and I am committed to carrying forward the vision of development. We have delivered on infrastructure, education and healthcare and voters will continue to benefit from our policies,” said Anand.

During his campaign, he highlighted the inclusion of Karnal City in the Smart City Mission and stressed on the works done under the project.

“Under the Congress government, Karnal was neglected for long. Karnal City got the tag of Smart City and several major projects have been developed under the BJP,” said Anand.

Moreover, Congress candidate Sumita Singh is busy welcoming leaders from the BJP and other parties as several leaders have joined the Congress. During her campaign, she criticises the BJP’s “track record” in the region.

She is a former two-time MLA with a strong foothold in Karnal segment. She accused the BJP of failing to deliver on its promises and neglecting the needs of the people. “Karnal has been ignored under the BJP rule. There has been no significant development in the past decade and projects like the bus stand, the foundation stone of which was laid during the Congress government had been shifted to the Indri Assembly segment. The BJP has made hollow promises,” she said.

Singh, who is determined to regain the seat for the Congress, also stresses her long-standing connection with people of Karnal. “People of Karnal remember the work I did as their MLA. I have always prioritised the welfare of people of my constituency and I am committed to bringing the change, unlike the hollow promises made by the BJP,” she said.

She also accused the government for poor condition of roads, delay in completion of projects, and said that a majority of projects under the Smart City Mission were hanging fire.

Political analysts view the contest between BJP’s Anand and Congress’ Sumita Singh as the decisive one, with the seat seen as a test of strength for both parties.

“The prestige of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar and CM Nayab Singh Saini, who have held the Karnal seat in the past for 10 years, is also at stake. The result in Karnal will reflect the impact of both the leaders on the people of Karnal. It seems to be a tough fight between the Congress and the BJP,” said Ramji Lal, former principal of Dyal Singh College and a political analyst.