HARYANA - Keen tussle on the cards

The land of the Lal's (Bansi, Bhajan and Devi) has thrown up a combination of results in the past with the congress reigning supreme on several occasions under Bansi Lal and Bhajan Lal. Devi Lal or 'tau' as he is affectionately addressed has provided the sole alternative to the congress with his INLD (Indian National Lok Dal) coming to power in the past on more than 1 occasion. His son om prakash chautala has taken over the mantle. In the 2004 polls a massive anti-incumbency against INLD government and Chautala meant that the party was wiped out with congress winning 9 out of the 10 seats and BJP securing 1. A year later congress returned to power with Bhupinder Singh Hooda being sworn in as the CM. The Hooda government has generally stayed out of trouble and this might help the congress party in the upcoming polls. However trouble could come in the form of Bhajan Lal's Haryana janhit congress (HJC) trying to play spoiler. The ex-congress CM of haryana quit the party in disgust after the high command refused to nominate him as CM to form the HJC albeit 2.5 years after the government came into power. I personally feel that Bhajan Lal will have little effect in the general elections. The BJP which has always been a minor player in the land of the jats has struck up a clever alliance with INLD and this should help both the parties in the polls. The congress has a tough game on its hands and Haryana should provide for a fascinating contest.

Seat Projection:-

TOTAL Seats - 10
Cong - 6
INLD - 2
BJP - 2