Chandigarh. The main contest in the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana is between BJP and Congress. In the figures so far, Congress seems to be in a strong position. However, the path of Congress will not be so easy because INLD, JJP, AAP, and rebel-independents can harm it. Independents have always been in the role of kingmakers in Haryana. During the assembly elections, many such candidates are contesting strongly.

Independents have been kingmakers.

There was a time in Haryana when 16 MLAs won as independents and reached the assembly. In Bhupendra Singh Hooda's second term (2009), seven independents won the elections. Based on this he formed the Congress government in the state. In 1982, Bhajan Lal became CM with the support of 16 MLAs. In 2019, the BJP completed its five-year term on the strength of independents. In this assembly election, 1031 candidates are in the fray. Out of these, 462 candidates are independent. Many can reach the assembly by winning.

The game can get spoilt on these seats-

Ranjit Singh, grandson of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and son of former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala, is in the fray from Rania's seat. Last time Ranjit Singh Chautala had defeated Gopala Kanda's brother Govind Kanda. Here INLD has given a ticket to Abhay Chautala's elder son Arjun Chautala. If we look at it this way, we will see a clash between grandfather and grandson. His seat is considered to be the hottest. The country's richest woman Savitri Jindal is in the fray as an independent candidate from here. Her son Naveen Jindal is a BJP MP from Kurukshetra. BJP has given a ticket to Kamal Gupta, who is considered close to RSS, from Hisar. Ramniwas Rada, close to Kumari Selja, is trying his luck from Congress.

Independents can trap seats.

Congress rebels can spoil their game in Haryana's Nalwa and Hansi seats. Former minister Sampat Singh is an independent candidate from Nalwa. Congress may also suffer losses in Jind. Pradeep Gill is in the fray as a rebel from the Jind segment. Congress's Chitra Sarwara is in the fray as an independent from Ambala Cantt. Congress has now expelled her from the party. Chitra Sarwara's father Nirmal Singh is the Congress candidate from Ambala City. She will be seen fighting against her father.

BJP and Congress get a shock from rebels

Here, an independent candidate from Ladwa Sandeep Garg is contesting against CM Saini. Garg had joined BJP before the Lok Sabha elections but the party did not give him a ticket. Naveen Goyal, who was in the BJP from Gurugram, is contesting as an independent candidate. BJP did not give the ticket to Devendra Kadiyan from the Ganaur seat, so he is contesting as an independent. Sharda Rathore, who has been MLA from Ballabhgarh twice, was not given a ticket by Congress this time, so she is contesting as an independent. Kalyan Chauhan is contesting as an independent from Sohna, Rajput voters may go in his favor. In Sonipat, former media advisor of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Rajiv Jain is contesting as an independent.