BJP, Congress working hard to regain lost ground in Nilokheri
The Nilokheri Assembly segment, one of the five segments in Karnal district, seems to be witnessing an interesting contest between the BJP and the Congress in the upcoming elections. This constituency has a record of electing Independent candidates, with five out of 13 elections being won by Independents. This time, both major parties are leaving no stone unturned to regain lost political ground. The Congress last won the seat in 2005, while the BJP clinched victory in 2014. In this election, the BJP has fielded former MLA Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, who secured the seat in 2014. On the other hand, Congress has expressed confidence in Dharampal Gonder, a former Independent MLA who won in the 2019 elections. The contest is expected to be closely contested, as Kabirpanthi and Gonder are going head-to-head once again after five years. In 2019, Kabirpanthi contested on the BJP ticket, while Gonder was an Independent, who won the seat with a narrow margin of just 2,222 votes.
The constituency comprises key towns like Nilokheri, Taraori, Nissing, Nigdhu, and 76 villages. All the candidates are making efforts to secure victory by approaching rural and urban voters. The present scenario suggests the BJP and the Congress are dominating the scene, while other parties are also in the fray. INLD-BSP has fielded Balwan Singh, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has chosen Amar Singh.
A significant challenge for the Congress candidate comes from within the party. Former MLA Raj Kumar Valmiki and Rajiv Gonder, both Congress rebels, are contesting as Independent candidates, potentially splitting the votes and making the election even more unpredictable.
The candidates have intensified the campaigns focusing on door-to-door visits and nukkar meetings.
BJP’s Kabirpanthi is seeking votes by highlighting the achievements of the BJP government over the past decade. “The BJP government has done tremendous work with the vision of ‘Haryana Ek, Haryanvi Ek’. We have abolished the ‘parchi and kharchi’ (recommendation and bribe) system and provided jobs on merit basis. Our government has brought transparency in governance,” he said, emphasising the party’s development agenda. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Dharampal Gonder is appealing voters by highlighting the BJP’s neglect of the constituency. “Despite being an Independent MLA, I worked hard to bring development to Nilokheri. The BJP government, however, has consistently ignored the needs of this region,” Gonder said.
He highlighted his achievement of ensuring the status of sub-division to Nilokheri during his tenure. During his campaign, Gonder also highlighted the manifesto of Congress, which promises Rs 6,000 social welfare pension, jobs to youth and others.
Political analysts believe Nilokheri’s voters prioritise the candidate’s merit over party affiliation, which has led to the repeated success of independent candidates. Jai Singh Rana has a record of being elected MLA four times including twice as Independent MLA.
“Presently it seems to be a contest between candidates of the national parties – the BJP and the Congress. Caste factor will play a crucial role. This constituency has maximum voters of the Ror community, who seem to be silent this time. The voting trend of Brahmins, Punjabis, Sikhs and others will also play an important role,” said Balram Sharma, a political analyst and Head of Department of political science, DAV College, Karnal.
