CHANDIGARH: Haryana’s Assembly elections see a surge of candidates who belong to influential political families, affiliated with major parties, reflecting the state’s entrenched culture of dynastic politics.
Haryana, a state known for its political dynasties, has once again transformed into a fertile launch-pad for the next generation of political aspirants as the Assembly elections witness a surge in greenhorn candidates from influential political families. Irrespective of party affiliations or commitments to end dynastic politics, established political families have fielded a new crop of candidates, ensuring the legacy of political dominance.
While Congress has long been seen as the front-runner in promoting political dynasties, all major parties in Haryana, from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to regional forces like the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), now seem to follow the same path. The practice of favouring family legacies has become a common thread across the political spectrum in the state.
Several seasoned politicians in Congress have successfully positioned their next generation in the electoral arena, as the party chose to appease its senior leaders by offering tickets to their heirs. Notably, Congress veteran Randeep Singh Surjewala has secured a ticket for his son, Aditya Surjewala, from the family’s stronghold in Kaithal, marking the entry of the third generation of the Surjewala family into electoral politics.
Hisar MP Jai Parkash has successfully launched his son, Vikas Saharan by getting him a ticket form Kalayat. Vikas was the only Congress leader who had filed his nomination even before any official announcement by the party.
In the same vein, Congress has introduced Anirudh Chaudhary, grandson of former chief minister Bansi Lal and son of former BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra, who will contest from Tosham against his cousin, Shruti Choudhary, another political heir from the Bansi Lal family.
Similarly, Congress’ Mullana family has also made its presence felt, with Pooja Chaudhary, wife of Congress’ Ambala MP Varun Mullana and daughter-in-law of former Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Phool Chand Mullana, launching her electoral career this election.
Congress has also fielded Balram Dangi, son of former minister and senior party leader Anand Singh Dangi, to contest from Meham. Balram will face off against kabaddi player Deepak Hooda in the upcoming elections. Balram’s father had represented the Meham constituency for three consecutive terms, adding a legacy factor to the contest.
Moreover, in Congress, the entry of Rahul Makkar from Hansi, grandson of former MLA Amirchand Makkar, and Chander Parkash, nephew of former MP Ramji Lal, from Adampur, highlights the dominance of family ties in candidate selection. Chander will take on Bhavya Bishnoi- grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal and son of Kuldeep Bishnoi, who had been fielded by BJP. Despite its strong rhetoric against dynastic politics, BJP is no exception. The party has fielded Aarti Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, from the Ateli constituency. Similarly, Manmohan Badhana, son of former minister Kartar Badhana, has been brought in as a parachute candidate from Samalkha, underscoring the party’s reliance on political legacies.
The Chautala family, a longstanding powerhouse in Haryana politics, has also introduced multiple members across parties. With seven members of the Chautala family contesting from different constituencies, the family remains one of the most influential political dynasties in Haryana.Digvijay Chautala, son of Ajay Chautala and younger brother of former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, is contesting from Dabwali on a JJP ticket, while his rival in the same constituency, Aditya Devi Lal, grandson of the late deputy prime minister Devi Lal, represents INLD.
Congress has fielded Amit Sihag Chautala, a distant relative of Devi Lal, from Dabwali. In Rania, Arjun Chautala, son of INLD leader Abhay Chautala, is in the race, facing off against his uncle and former minister, Ranjit Chautala. The dynasty’s reach extends further with Sunaina Chautala, daughter-in-law of Partap Chautala, contesting from Fatehabad. Meanwhile, Naina Chautala, mother of Digvijay Chautala who is sitting MLA from Badhra, is not contesting the polls.
There was a sharp criticism of the politicians who brought their children at the cost of the deserving and hardworking leaders and workers.
“If my father was a big leader, would my ticket been denied at the last moment? Anyway, I won’t comment much; I just want to say that only the king’s son becomes the king. That’s the truth”, this was the reaction of activist Shweta Dhull who was denied a ticket by Congress from Kalayat to field Vikas Saharan.As these political heirs prepare to step into the electoral battlefield, Haryana’s Assembly elections continue to mirror the state’s deep-rooted culture of dynastic politics, despite widespread calls for change.