Triangular contest for Haryana RS seats as BJP, Cong, Independent file nominations

The political temperature in Haryana rose on Thursday as three candidates filed nominations for the two Rajya Sabha seats from the state that will fall vacant in April, setting the stage for a triangular contest.

The ruling BJP has fielded former Karnal MP Sanjay Bhatia, considered a close confidant of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. His selection came ahead of other prominent aspirants in the party, including Kuldeep Bishnoi and Kiran Choudhry.

The Congress nomination of Dalit activist Karamvir Singh Baudh also came as a surprise to many ticket aspirants within the party. However, senior leaders had indicated earlier that the party would field a Scheduled Caste candidate to balance caste equations in the state. While Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda belongs to the Jat community, Haryana Congress chief Rao Narendra Singh represents the Ahir community and falls under the OBC category.

The contest became more interesting with BJP state vice-president Satish Nandal entering the fray as an Independent candidate. His candidature upset the calculations of several aspirants, including Gopal Kanda, who were reportedly seeking BJP support for the election. The party was initially reluctant to allow one of its office-bearers to contest independently.

However, Nandal appears to have the advantage of BJP backing and also belongs to the Jat community from Rohtak, which political observers believe could be an attempt to counter Hooda’s influence in the region.

Bhatia was the first to file his nomination papers in the presence of party incharge Satish Poonia, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli and other senior leaders.

“This is now a triangular contest and it is everyone’s democratic right to file nominations. Whoever has the votes will win,” Bhatia said.

After hours of suspense, Nandal filed his nomination papers accompanied by three Independent MLAs — Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Rajesh Joon (Bahadurgarh) and Devender Kadyan (Ganaur) — all of whom are currently supporting the BJP-led government.

“I will meet every single MLA and seek his vote and support. I am a member of the BJP but am contesting independently. I am not stepping down from my post as an office-bearer and will take that call after the last date of withdrawal is over,” Nandal said.

The Independent MLAs accompanying him said they had urged him to contest so that their concerns could be raised in the Rajya Sabha.

In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP has 48 MLAs, the Congress 37, the INLD 2, while three Independents support the government. With 31 votes required to win a Rajya Sabha seat, the BJP’s victory appears assured. The Congress also has adequate numbers, but concerns about possible cross-voting have begun to surface.

This assumes significance as no whip can be issued in Rajya Sabha elections, and cross-voting does not automatically lead to disqualification of MLAs.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on Friday, while the last date for withdrawal is March 9. The election is scheduled for March 16.

The seats currently held by BJP MPs Kiran Choudhry and Ram Chander Jangra will fall vacant on April 9.