<p> In a state that has witnessed leaders from the Jat community becoming chief ministers in the last four consecutive governments, caste equations, community considerations, khaps and the all-powerful socio-religious deras (sects) hold sway.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The dominant political narrative ahead of elections in Haryana is being funnelled on similar lines. Jats in Haryana constitute the dominant community with a sizable 25 per cent of the state population, followed by the scheduled castes (21 per cent). <br /><br />But, inherent in every major party’s positioning as a messiah of the dominant community lies the inevitable risk of a split in Jat votes and polarisation of non-Jat votes.<br /><br /> Every prominent political party prefers a sizable number of Jat leaders as nominees, hoping to get its share of the pie. The Congress and the INLD are strong contenders vying for a sizable share of Jat votes.<br /><br />In fact, a change in the Congress election strategy projecting itself as a more Jat-centric outfit came about after the 2005 Assembly elections. <br /><br />Although the election was fought under the leadership of a non-Jat face—late former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal—the Congress high command preferred a Jat leader, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, to take over the coveted post of chief minister after the party ousted the then Chautala regime. <br /><br />The gamble to make substantial inroads in Jat votes paid off. Hooda gave the Congress two successive wins.<br /><br />Dera factor<br /><br />The influence of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda–one of most prominent sects in Haryana with a phenomenal following across several states–will be a determining factor on the electorate. Politicians in bulk across party lines are queuing up to seek the blessings of the sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Just a few days ago, the sect head rained praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an event in Sirsa.<br /><br />The all-powerful khap panchayats in Jatland, often in news for issuing unpalatable, unconstitutional diktats, command a sizable community based network in many parts of the state. <br /><br />The khaps are influencing voters in a big way this election. In fact, the BJP and the INLD have fielded three top khap leaders in the elections. Contrary to popular perception, all three are millionaires.<br /><br />In the last two terms of the Congress in Haryana, Hooda has tried hard to consolidate Jat votes by announcing measures like granting OBC status to Jats. <br />This has come about at the risk of polarisation of other castes and non-Jat communities against the Congress. It was perhaps evident in Lok Sabha elections when the Congress lost 9 out of the 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana.</p>
<p> In a state that has witnessed leaders from the Jat community becoming chief ministers in the last four consecutive governments, caste equations, community considerations, khaps and the all-powerful socio-religious deras (sects) hold sway.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The dominant political narrative ahead of elections in Haryana is being funnelled on similar lines. Jats in Haryana constitute the dominant community with a sizable 25 per cent of the state population, followed by the scheduled castes (21 per cent). <br /><br />But, inherent in every major party’s positioning as a messiah of the dominant community lies the inevitable risk of a split in Jat votes and polarisation of non-Jat votes.<br /><br /> Every prominent political party prefers a sizable number of Jat leaders as nominees, hoping to get its share of the pie. The Congress and the INLD are strong contenders vying for a sizable share of Jat votes.<br /><br />In fact, a change in the Congress election strategy projecting itself as a more Jat-centric outfit came about after the 2005 Assembly elections. <br /><br />Although the election was fought under the leadership of a non-Jat face—late former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal—the Congress high command preferred a Jat leader, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, to take over the coveted post of chief minister after the party ousted the then Chautala regime. <br /><br />The gamble to make substantial inroads in Jat votes paid off. Hooda gave the Congress two successive wins.<br /><br />Dera factor<br /><br />The influence of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda–one of most prominent sects in Haryana with a phenomenal following across several states–will be a determining factor on the electorate. Politicians in bulk across party lines are queuing up to seek the blessings of the sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Just a few days ago, the sect head rained praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an event in Sirsa.<br /><br />The all-powerful khap panchayats in Jatland, often in news for issuing unpalatable, unconstitutional diktats, command a sizable community based network in many parts of the state. <br /><br />The khaps are influencing voters in a big way this election. In fact, the BJP and the INLD have fielded three top khap leaders in the elections. Contrary to popular perception, all three are millionaires.<br /><br />In the last two terms of the Congress in Haryana, Hooda has tried hard to consolidate Jat votes by announcing measures like granting OBC status to Jats. <br />This has come about at the risk of polarisation of other castes and non-Jat communities against the Congress. It was perhaps evident in Lok Sabha elections when the Congress lost 9 out of the 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana.</p>
