Division in Jat votes to give BJP edge

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Jind, January 28

The fate of 21 candidates has been sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the Jind byelection today. With above average polling recorded in both rural and urban areas in the Assembly constituency, the candidates have started drawing calculations taking into account the voting percentage and pattern.

Considered as a semi-final of the Assembly elections later this year, the prestige of two national parties, BJP and Congress, two state-registered parties, INLD and Loktantra Suraksha Party (LSP), and the newly formed Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which is yet to be registered with the Election Commission, is at stake in the bypoll.

The Jind byelection has turned out to be a cracker of a contest. After starting as a five-cornered contest, it seems to have ended as a triangular fight between BJP candidate Krishan Middha, Congress nominee Randeep Singh Surjewala and JJP-supported Digvijay Chautala.

Political experts maintained that Middha seemed to have a slight edge over his rivals due a division in Jat votes and the advantage of being the candidate of the party in power.

However, factors like performance of LSP’s Vinod Ashri in Jind town, coupled with a sway in Bania votes and polarisation of Jat votes, could effect an upset in the bypoll.

Middha started meeting his supporters in the evening as polling figures were being compiled by the authorities. He said he was confident of victory and the Jind seat would be added to the BJP kitty in the Assembly.

Congress nominee Surjewala met party workers at the Congress office in Jind. His aide Vineet Punia said the outcome would be in favour of the Congress.

An aide of INLD candidate Umed Redhu said counting would throw up a surprise as the INLD was going to win the bypoll. JJP-supported Digvijay said the people’s warm response was an indication of his victory. The bypoll result would be declared on January 31.

Mainly triangular fight

The Jind byelection has turned out to be a cracker of a contest. After starting as a five-cornered contest, it seems to have ended as a triangular fight between BJP candidate Krishan Middha, Congress nominee Randeep Singh Surjewala and newly formed Jannayak Janta Party-supported Digvijay Chautala.