Nayab Singh Saini’s Campaign in Ladwa: A Closer Look
A Crucial Electoral Battle
In Haryana’s fertile rice country, the Ladwa constituency has become the focal point of a heated electoral battle. Saini is relying on his strong personal ties with the local population to reclaim this seat from the incumbent legislator, a representative of the resurgent Congress party. Ladwa is part of the Kurukshetra parliamentary seat, which Saini previously represented before his return to state politics.
Political Background and Strategy
Earlier this year, Saini was appointed Chief Minister as part of the BJP’s strategy to combat anti-incumbency after a decade in power. Despite losing half of its parliamentary seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP managed to retain Kurukshetra, albeit with an 11 percentage point decline in vote share, now standing at 44.96%. In contrast, the party’s vote share in Ladwa improved slightly to 47.14%, a significant increase from the 32.69% it garnered in 2019.
Saini’s political journey began in 2014 when he entered the Haryana Assembly as the representative for Naraingarh in the Ambala district and was later appointed a minister in the Manohar Lal Khattar government. After a successful stint, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Kurukshetra five years later. Following his appointment as Chief Minister in March, Saini returned to the Assembly from Karnal, Khattar’s former seat. Now, he is contesting the upcoming elections on October 5 from Ladwa, a seat his party considers safer than Naraingarh, which is currently held by his trusted aide, Pawan Saini.
A Mission-Driven Approach
During his interactions with the villagers, Saini emphasized, “This election is yours, not mine, as I need to visit other constituencies too. All BJP candidates want the Chief Minister to campaign for them, but I’m here to work in mission mode. Since the Model Code of Conduct was lifted in June, I’ve made 126 significant decisions in just 56 days.”
Focus on Job Creation
At the heart of the BJP’s campaign is the promise of government jobs based on merit, a hallmark of its decade-long governance. However, a recent complaint from Congress led the Election Commission to postpone the results of a government recruitment drive that coincided with the announcement of the election schedule.
Saini did not shy away from addressing these challenges, pointing fingers at Congress: “Hooda sahab has created a ‘stop the recruitments’ gang. I’ve told him, ‘Hooda sahab, you are anti-youth.’ The results for 32,000 posts are ready to be announced, and that number will exceed 35,000. I will ensure their joining once the BJP returns to power.”
Connecting with the Community
As Nayab Singh Saini wrapped up his speech in the village of Bir Kalwa, a group of children gathered around him, eager to share their dreams. With genuine interest, the Haryana Chief Minister listened as they expressed their need for 60 football kits. Encouragingly, he suggested they send him their request in writing, showcasing his commitment to the community.
Looking Ahead
As the campaign heats up, all eyes are on Ladwa, where the outcome could significantly shape the political landscape of Haryana. With Saini’s proactive approach and strong local ties, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of the region.
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