Exciting showdown in Sirsa: It’s Gokul Setia vs Gopal Kanda

The upcoming election in Sirsa Assembly constituency has turned into an intriguing contest. BJP candidate Rohtash Jangra has withdrawn his nomination while the INLD did not field a candidate and instead supported Gopal Kanda from the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP). The main battle is now between Congress’s Gokul Setia and HLP’s Gopal Kanda.

In the 2019 elections, Kanda won against Setia by a margin of just 602 votes. At that time, Kanda was an HLP candidate, while Setia was an Independent with the backing of INLD. During this election, Kanda is being supported by the INLD while Setia is representing the Congress. Last time, there were 18 candidates for the Sirsa seat; this time, there are 13.

Gopal Kanda, the incumbent MLA, has had a varied political journey. He began as an Independent in 2009, defeating INLD’s Padam Jain. After losing in 2014, he returned to win again in 2019. Kanda comes from a political family and has considerable experience. In contrast, Gokul Setia is a younger candidate with a notable political legacy; his grandfather, Lachhman Das Arora, served five terms as an MLA and was a minister three times.

Despite losing in the past, Setia remained active in the community, helping residents with their issues. His previous connection with the INLD seems to be benefitting him this election. Kanda’s reputation for religious integrity, coupled with INLD’s support, gives him an edge. Additionally, the BJP’s indirect support may influence the election results.

However, tension is brewing within the Congress, as some senior leaders feel sidelined by Setia’s nomination. This has led to a lack of enthusiasm among party workers, with many focusing on strategies against Setia rather than supporting him.

Meanwhile, the BJP, after withdrawing its candidate, has gone quiet, as Kanda refuses to accept their support to avoid upsetting INLD leaders.