Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 11, 2024, 05:00 PM
Haryana Election 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its second list of candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections, in which many important decisions and changes are seen. Notably, the party has changed its strategy on three assembly seats in the Muslim-dominated Mewat region, giving tickets to two Muslim candidates. In this article, we will know what is the purpose of this new strategy of BJP and how difficult is the road to victory in this area.BJP's new list: Bet on Muslim candidatesThe BJP has chosen two Muslim candidates for the Ferozepur Jhirka and Punhana assembly seats in the Mewat area. Naseem Ahmed has been re-nominated from Ferozepur Jhirka, while Ejaz Khan has been nominated from Punhana. Apart from this, Sanjay Singh has been fielded in place of last time candidate Zakir Hussain from Nuh seat. The main objective of this change is to fix the political mathematics of Mewat and turn the regional equations in its favor.Mewat: Political challenge of Muslim-dominated areaHaryana's Mewat region is considered Muslim-dominated, where the Muslim population is 70 to 80 percent. There are three assembly seats in this area: Nuh, Punhana, and Ferozepur Jhirka. In the last elections, Muslim candidates of Congress have won all these three seats. BJP is trying to challenge Congress by fielding Muslim candidates this time.BJP's strategy: Muslim candidate and Hindu faceThis time BJP has given ticket to Sanjay Singh, who is currently MLA from Sohna and Minister of State, instead of a Muslim candidate on Nuh assembly seat. The aim of this strategy is to attract Hindu votes on Nuh seat and challenge the sitting Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed. With Sanjay Singh's Hinduist image, BJP has tried to surround Muslim voters.BJP has again given ticket to Naseem Ahmed on Ferozepur Jhirka seat, while new Muslim face Ejaz Khan has been fielded in Punhana. In the last elections, BJP had fielded a Hindu candidate on the Punhana seat, but this time Ajaz Khan has been given a chance as a Muslim candidate.Election tradition of Mewat regionBJP has not yet won all three assembly seats of Mewat. Since the formation of Haryana state in 1967, Muslim candidates have been winning in Mewat. Parties like Congress and INLD have fielded Muslim candidates here and won.Zakir Hussain, who contested the 2019 elections on the Nuh seat, is now being challenged by Sanjay Singh. Sanjay Singh's entry into the electoral fray has made the contest even more interesting. The contest will also be tough on Ferozepur Jhirka and Punhana seats, especially when both the major parties are fielding their old faces.BJP's path: Difficulties and possibilitiesBJP has adopted a new strategy by fielding Muslim candidates on the seats of Mewat region, but it is not easy to make the 'lotus' bloom in this region. Muslim voters play a decisive role here and BJP has not performed well here in the previous elections. The recent violence in Nuh and the strong hold of Congress have further increased the challenge for BJP.The road to victory for BJP in the Muslim-dominated Mewat region is difficult, and this area is becoming increasingly strong for Congress. The political equations have become even more complicated after the violence in Nuh area in 2023. BJP will have to face many political, social, and political obstacles to win here.Ultimately, BJP's new strategy and selection of candidates in the Mewat region of Haryana Assembly elections shows that the party is trying to bring the electoral mathematics in its favor keeping in mind the regional equations. However, BJP will need hard work and strategic changes to make it successful.