Haryana BJP to Announce First Candidates for Assembly Elections

Chandigarh: The Haryana BJP election committee concluded a two-day meeting in Gurugram, where it discussed strategies for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for October 1. The committee is expected to release its first list of approximately 20 candidates out of a total of 90 by next week. The results of the elections will be announced on October 4. The meeting was attended by key party figures, including Chief Minister Nayab Saini and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, along with other senior leaders. The first candidate list is anticipated to be finalized following a meeting of the Central Election Committee in New Delhi, which will include prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Reports indicate that the committee is leaning towards selecting candidates based on their past performance, particularly those who either won or narrowly lost in the 2019 assembly elections. Additionally, feedback from party workers and surveys conducted across all 90 constituencies will play a crucial role in the selection process. There is speculation that some of the current 41 MLAs may be replaced due to strong anti-incumbency sentiments. State party president Mohan Lal Badoli has previously indicated that around 25% of the candidates will be new faces. The discussions also addressed constituencies with multiple contenders for the party ticket, reflecting the competitive nature of candidate selection. As the BJP prepares for the elections, Chief Minister Saini asserts that the party will secure a third consecutive term, citing its corruption-free governance and welfare initiatives. However, the opposition Congress party continues to challenge the ruling party, alleging corruption, deteriorating law and order, and rising unemployment in Haryana.