The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) has emerged as victor in Jind by-polls. The BJP bagged 49,229 votes, while the JJP polled 37,681 votes. This win will set the tone for the upcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in 2019. The BJP’s move to nominate Krishna Middha, the late INLD legislator’s son, has worked. With its move, the Saffron party outwitted the Congress and the new entrant Jananayak Janata Party (JJP). This victory indicates that the BJP has made a significant dent in the INLD and Chautala bastion. The election was conducted on January 28 with nearly 76% of the 1.72 lakh voters exercising their right to vote. The election was necessitated after the death of two-time INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha, whose son- Krishna Middha- contested on the BJP ticket in the Jind by-polls.
The BJP’s victory in Jind has definitely come as a shot in the arm for the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The victory is approval for CM Khattar and his works. The no-nonsense CM that Manoharlal Khattar has focused on governance while leaving the game of political mudslinging for the opposition. On 30th October last year, Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP has completed its four years of governance in Haryana. CM Khattar attracted both criticism and praises for his governance. The Khattar government was targeted on issues such as Jat agitation, Dera riots and Rampal Jailing. On the other hand, it received laurels for the development related works. Other initiatives such as The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) program, CM Window, E-Governance, E-Bhoomi portal have been a huge success. Irrigation, power structure and electricity supply has registered upward trend. Many institutes of higher education have been setup in the state. One of the major achievements of the Khattar government are the steps taken by it to decongest Gurugram. It launched multiple development projects including flyover, over bridges, underpasses etc. to decongest the city. Its effects are clearly visible on the grounds. There are many infrastructural projects started by the BJP government which are yet to be finished, once completed, they will benefit a lot to people from Haryana. The Khattar government remains very popular among the people in the state.
This victory in Jind by-polls could not have come at a better time for the BJP which can now capitalize on the momentum that it has got in the state for its 2019 polls campaign. It will boost the morale of the cadres. There are speculations that Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand may be clubbed with Lok Sabha elections. If it happens then it will further provide an edge to the BJP. The Modi factor will overshadow all other factors. It will suit the BJP to ride on PM Modi’s popularity.
Now, it is safe to conclude that Manohar Lal Khattar is the only non-Jat Chief Minister after Bhajan Lal who has managed to complete his full term. When people will go out to cast their mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, they will decide whom to vote for based on work done by the party.