The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have joined hands once again in Haryana, with Abhay Chautala being announced as the chief ministerial candidate. This alliance is a crucial step towards the upcoming assembly elections, aiming to present a united front against other parties.
The Big Announcement
#WATCH | Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have announced to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections together.
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2024
INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala says, "Today the sentiment of the common man is that the BJP, which has been looting this state… pic.twitter.com/jlxyV69qyA
On July 11, 2024, both parties made it official that they are teaming up for the Haryana Assembly elections. This alliance will see the INLD contesting 53 seats and the BSP taking on 37 seats in the 90-member assembly. The stage is set for what promises to be a closely contested battle for power and governance in the state.
Abhay Chautala, the senior leader of INLD, has been projected as the chief ministerial candidate. Chautala’s leadership is seen as a significant factor in rallying support for the coalition.
Ambitious Plans for Haryana
The alliance has laid out an ambitious agenda aimed at improving the quality of life for Haryana’s residents. Their promises include:
- Free Drinking Water: For domestic purposes, ensuring every household has access to clean water.
- Cap on Electricity Bills: Limiting domestic electricity bills to Rs 500.
- Senior Citizens’ Pension: A monthly pension of Rs 7,500.
- Free LPG Cylinders: Every household to receive a free LPG gas cylinder, along with a monthly allowance of Rs 1,100 for kitchen expenses.
- Unemployment Allowance: A proposed allowance of Rs 2,100 per month for unemployed youth.
- Plots for the Poor: Allocation of 100 square feet plots to the poor from the Scheduled Caste category.
A History of Alliance
This is not the first time they have joined forces in Haryana. Their alliance also contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but it did not yield significant results. This time, however, both parties are determined to make a significant impact, learning from past experiences and building on a foundation of unity and shared goals.
The formation of this alliance happened after a meeting between Mayawati and Abhay Chautala in Lucknow. During this meeting, the leaders discussed various aspects of the coalition and its objectives. Both leaders have expressed optimism about the alliance’s prospects, despite the challenges posed by the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, both parties faced setbacks, with the INLD securing 1.74% and BSP 1.28% of the vote share. However, the dynamics of Assembly elections are different, and the leaders are confident that their alliance stands a better chance of resonating with the electorate’s concerns.
The political scenario in Haryana has been turbulent, with the BJP breaking its alliance with the JJP earlier this year and appointing Nayab Singh Saini as the Chief Minister, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar. The Congress, on the other hand, has shown confidence in its ability to win the upcoming elections, bolstered by its performance in the Lok Sabha polls where it secured 5 out of 10 seats.
The INLD and BSP’s alliance has stirred the political pot, raising questions about the potential impact on the BJP’s and Congress’s strategies. With the Haryana Assembly Elections on the horizon, the people of Haryana are keenly observing the developments, anticipating how this alliance will shape the state’s governance and policies.
