All parties face problems

By Rajesh Ahuja

CHANDIGARH, JAN. 22. Even as countdown has begun for the Assembly elections in Haryana on February 22, political parties in the State are virtually in a shambles over the selection of candidates notwithstanding tall claims of unity and coordination.

The ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is in a dilemma over its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party which has developed cracks thanks to the intransigent stand adopted by the latter over sharing of seats. According to highly-placed sources, in case this dispute is not resolved immediately, the alliance could well be a thing of the past as the Chief Minister, Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, who is also the INLD supremo, is determined not to concede even an inch to the BJP on this issue.

Interestingly, though it is being mentioned in political circles that the row between the two parties would be resolved amicably with the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Prakash Singh Badal, knowledgeable sources assert that the situation has gone beyond intervention. Mr. Chautala's stand is clear and final - ticket will be distributed not according to party affiliations but as per winning prospects.

The BJP is adamant that it will contest not less than 35 of the 90 seats as per a formula which, they claim, was worked out between Mr. Chautala and the BJP high command before the Assembly was dissolved prematurely. The Chief Minister, interestingly, asserts that no such formula was ever coined. According to sources, Mr. Chautala has so far been dealing patiently with the BJP hoping that the issue would be resolved amicably and the two parties would repeat the grand performance during the recently held Lok Sabha polls when the entire opposition was wiped out.

However, if things do not settle down, Mr. Chautala is under great pressure from INLD cadres to go it alone.The BJP leaders say they are prepared to fight the 90 Assembly seats on their own. However, political observers feel the BJP may be the loser in such an eventuality.

It is being said in INLD circles that the former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Devi Lal, had gauged the scenario correctly when he recently asserted that the BJP was not in a position to contest over 20 seats. They say if the BJP decides to go it alone, Mr. Chautala would be the gainer in any case as the non-Jat votes would be divided between the Congress and the BJP.

Observers also feel that if the INLD and the BJP were to part company, Mr. Chautala could field a few Ministers, who had won the last Assembly polls as Independents, as INLD candidates from Panipat, Hissar, Indri, Ambala Cantt., Chachrauli and Narnaul to cite some examples. Some of these candidates have already opened election offices as Independents in their respective constituencies. Interestingly, there is resentment among the INLD grassroots workers against the BJP for its anti-INLD stance which became evident after the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, exhorted the BJP in Haryana at a party conclave in Rohtak recently to carve a niche of its own in State politics. This resentment could come out openly in case the two parties go it alone.

There is optimism in the INLD that the party has established a foothold among urban voters thanks to the abolition of chungi, improved law and order situation, streamlining of sales tax procedures and restoration of grant to the Agroha Medical College.

As for the Congress, the claims of ``unity'' have proved to be a ``hype'' so far as tickets distribution is concerned as all factions have staked their claims for almost all the 90 seats making it tough for the party high command to finalise the list. The AICC general secretary, Mr. Moti Lal Vora and senior party leader, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, have been given the task of finalising the candidates at the earliest.

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Section  : Regional
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