Haryana Assembly Election 2024: JJP Ties Up With Bhim Army, Eye Dalit Vote Bank

With Haryana's political landscape heating up, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) has formed an alliance with Chandrashek Azad's Azad Samaj Party (ASP). This move aims to capture the Dalit vote, which constitutes 21% of the state's population. The partnership marks Azad's first political venture in Haryana, following his victory from the Nagina Sabha seat.

The JJP and ASP have agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Assembly elections. The JJP will contest 70 out of 90 seats, while the ASP will field candidates in 20 constituencies. Both leaders, Dushyant Chautala and Chandrashekhar Azad, announced this alliance at New Delhi's Constitution Club. Dushyant promised a long-term partnership aimed at uplifting the downtrodden and farmers in Haryana.

Historical Ties and Promises

Dushyant Chautala recalled his great-grandfather Devi Lal's support for Chaudhary Kanshi Ram during a massive protest at Boat Club in Delhi. He highlighted that Devi Lal was instrumental in getting B R Ambedkar honoured with Bharat Ratna and having his statue installed in Parliament. Dushyant emphasised that both leaders had taken significant steps for community welfare.

The JJP leader also mentioned that when Devi Lal became Haryana Chief Minister, he created SC choupals across the state. Dushyant claimed to have continued this legacy by redeveloping these choupals during his tenure. The JJP had won 10 seats in its debut during the 2019 Assembly elections, playing a crucial role in forming the government with BJP support.

Challenges and Shifts

However, since parting ways with the BJP earlier this year, the JJP has faced internal challenges. Seven out of its 10 MLAs have left the party; one joined Congress, and two are expected to align with BJP. Recently, Dushyant had also made overtures to Congress.

The new alliance aims to combine JJP's Jat support base with ASP's anticipated Dalit backing. Jats constitute 26% of Haryana's population. In the 2019 elections, four of JJP's seats were SC-reserved constituencies. This caste combination could be formidable if it consolidates effectively.

Previous Alliances and Electoral History

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), led by Abhay Chautala, recently revived its alliance with Mayawati-led BSP for upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. Despite various alliances over the years, Dalits in Haryana have not voted as a unified group, diluting their electoral influence.

The BSP has struggled to make a significant impact in Haryana despite contesting elections since 1998. That year was its only electoral success when Aman Kumar Nagra won from Ambala Lok Sabha seat through an alliance with Haryana Lok Dal Rashtriya (later INLD).

Electoral Dynamics

In recent years, alliances involving BSP have been short-lived. In 2009, BSP allied with Haryana Janhit Congress but ended it within months. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BSP initially held talks with Congress but eventually tied up with INLD before switching to Loktantra Suraksha Party just before elections.

The SC-reserved seats in Haryana are primarily contested by Congress and BJP. In the 2019 Assembly polls, BJP won five out of 17 SC seats while Congress secured seven; JJP won four seats and one went to an Independent candidate.

Current Political Climate

In recent Lok Sabha polls, fears among Dalits about potential changes to reservation provisions under a full-majority BJP government contributed to BJP losing both reserved seats in Haryana to Congress - Ambala and Sirsa.

BJP is also facing discontent from Jats and farmers over issues like Agnipath scheme and wrestlers' protest. Consolidating Dalit votes could significantly alter Haryana's political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections.