At industrial town Bawal, it's a direct contest between veteran & greenhorn

The Bawal (Reserve) Assembly constituency, located on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway and about 15 km from the Rewari district headquarters, is all set to witness a direct contest between a veteran and greenhorn. A total of 10 candidates are in the fray from here.

A total of 10 candidates are in the fray. Ahirs hold the key to victory, even though Jats and Gujjars have a considerable presence.

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Dr Muni Lal Ranga (69), a former minister and PhD from Kurukshetra University, is again trying his luck on the Congress ticket, while the BJP has fielded the Director (Health Services), Dr Krishan Kumar (55), in place of former Public Health and Engineering Minister Banwari Lal — a two-time MLA — to counter anti-incumbency.

Dr Krishan, considered a loyalist of Union minister and Ahir stalwart Rao Inderjit Singh, jumped into the fray after taking voluntary retirement from government service, a day before he was given the BJP ticket. Belonging to Bhathera village here, he also served as the Civil Surgeon in Rewari.

On the other hand, belonging to Dilyaki village, Dr Ranga served as Health Minister in the then state government led by Om Prakash Chautala after winning the election from Bawal in 2000. Thereafter, he tried his luck in the Assembly elections twice, but could not succeed.

The other candidates are —Jawahar Lal (AAP), Sampat Ram Dahanwal (INLD) and Dr Lekhram Mehra (Loktanter Suraksha Party).

The BJP candidate is depending on the clout of Rao Inderjit Singh in the area and the development works undertaken during the BJP regime in the past decade. Banwari Lal does not appear to be much active in the constituency, indicating differences among local party leaders.

Similarly, the Congress candidate is counting on anti-incumbency and inclination of a major chunk of Jat voters towards the Congress. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda had addressed a poll meeting at Bawal, seeking votes for Ranga.   

Bawal is an industrial town where Ahirs hold the key to victory, even though Jats and Gujjars have a considerable number of votes.