International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
Available online at: www.ijassh.com
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Indian Politics Moves from Party Oriented towards Personality Oriented: A
Case of Gurgaon Parliamentary Constituency for Upcoming Election 2014
Pratap Singh
1, Ashwani Kumar
2*, Anil
11Department of Geography, MD University, Rohtak, India.
2Department of Geography, Gaur Brahman P.G. College, Rohtak, India.
Abstract
In Indian politics we see a paradigm shift in recent time. The long existing party oriented politics is facing the stiff competition from personality-oriented politics. The same situation we see in Gurgaon parliamentary constituency in Haryana. Here sitting congress MP Stalwart Rao Inderjeet is contesting on a BJP ticket. He is very famous and a leader of high stature. In a country where the word politician is akin to abuse, he is one of the rare few that command respect. Unlike other politicians, people vote for him, and praise him because of his work. This time the huge traction towards BJP's candidate Rao Inderjeet is not just based on Congress' misgovernance in the state but also because of his personality. His style of functioning as a down-to-earth organisational man will enable him to override not only anti-incumbency but also factionalism.
Introduction
In Indian politics we see a paradigm shift in recent time. The long existing party oriented politics is facing the stiff competition from personality-oriented politics. One side it is a change for the country on the other side it is a threat for dynastic politics. A national party forward a person born in a humble background and declare him the Prime Ministerial candidate because of his hard work, his integrity, his leadership and also his record of good governance. On the other side people of the nation come forward and decide to make a party that represents the AAM AADMI. This party in its very first election astonished all and make the government in New Delhi by defeating big political gun like Sheela Dixit. The candidates of this party were neither from higher class nor from any political dynasty. These were the Aam Aadmi of the Nation. This is a clear sign of the shifting political paradigm. The same thing we see in Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency (In Haryana state) upcoming election. There is a multi-cornered contest in almost all the seats in Haryana. However one of the most interesting and tough battle will be in Gurgaon. Here former Congress stalwart Rao Inderjeet Singh is fighting for the BJP. AAP's biggest hope Yogendra Yadav is also fighting a four-cornered fight against BJP, Congress' Dharam Pal and INLD's Zakhir Hussain.
About 17 lakh voters will decide the fate of 23 candidates in the fray. Like many other states in India, here too the Narendra Modi wave seems to have swept the voters, as the Congress lags behind. In the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress had won nine seats. This time the huge traction towards BJP's candidate Rao Inderjeet is not just based on Congress' misgovernance in the state but also because of his popularity.
Objective
The present study has the following objectives:
The review the popularity of Rao Inderjeet in Ahirwal region.
To analyze the electoral behavior of the voters.
To find out the shifting change from party oriented politics towards personality oriented politics.
Study area:
Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency isRajasthan lies in its south-west (Gurgaon Election Office).
This constituency was in existence from 1952-77. It came into existence again in 2008 as a part of the implementation of the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission of India constituted in 2002 (District Election Office Gurgaon). The
Gurgaon parliamentary constituency was
comprised of three distinct geographical region- Ahirwal, Mewat and Gujjar. Ahirwal region had the assembly segment of Bawal, Rewari, Pataudi, Gurgaon, Badshapur and part of Sohna assembly, and was dominated by Hindu population while the Mewat region had the assembly segment of
Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka, Punhana and part of Sohna assembly and was dominated by Muslims. The Gujjar region is located in eastern part of Sohna- an assembly segment which was comprised of Sohna (part of Gurgaon district) and Taoru (part of Mewat district) and had the characteristics of the trio Ahirwal , Mewat and Gujjar region. Muslims with over 25 percent of the total electorate have emerged as the biggest force in this constituency, while around 20 percent are from OBCs. Jats, Rajputs, Gujjars andBrahmins together constitute over 30 percent of the voters (The Hindu 1, May 2009).
Data Base and Research Methodology
Data required for the purpose of understanding the whole range of basic facts, opinions and attitudes relevant to our study have been
belonging to different walk of life have been conducted in a limited scale in order to present the course of events in its proper perspective. The secondary data have been collected from District Election Office- Gurgaon, Census of India 2001 and 2011. Various statistical and cartographic techniques have been used to provide a bird‘s eye view to the collected primary and secondary data. Mapping and graphical presentation works have been made with the help of GIS techniques and Ms-Excel.
Candidates
Unlike Britain and the Anglo-Saxon successor states of the British Empire, India lacks a dominant two-party system. Indian elections are therefore characterized by a multiplicity of parties and candidates. Many of the latter enter electoral
arena as ‗Independent‘ (i.e., non-party)
candidates. In 2014 upcoming election, Gurgaon has a total number of 23 contestants, including 18 ‗independent‘. The five party candidates had belonged to Congress (I), BJP-HJC alliance, INLD, AAP and BSP. All these five candidates- Rao Dhrampal (Congress-I), Rao Inderjeet (BJP), Zakir Hussain (INLD), Yogender Yadav (AAP) and Dharampal Rathi (BSP) will be the main contestor in the upcoming election.
Rao Dharampal
Born on 2nd April, 1942 at village Sirhol, a small village in Gurgaon District of South Haryana, Rao Dharampal has been a staunch congress man and has served the party sincerely & dedicatedly. He was elected M.L.A. thrice from Sohna – 60 assembly Constituency in the years 1987, 1991 & 2000. He also remained a Minister in Haryana Govt. for a full term during the period of 1991-1996. He is presently Vice President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee and has been holding this post since 1997. His capabilities were recongnised by Ch. Bhopinder Singh Hooda Govt. and therefore he was made the Chairman of Haryana Pardesh Congress committee OBC cell of Haryana. He is the Congress candidate for the upcoming election.
Rao Inderjeet Singh
An Indian politician, Rao Inderjit Singh is a
serving member of the 15th Lok Sabha, the Lower
house of the Parliament of India. He represents 09 Gurgaon Parliamentary Constituency in
Haryana, having previously represented
Mohindergarh. At the national level he has served as Cabinet Minister for the Environment, as Minister of State for External Affairs, and as Minister of State for Defense Production. Rao Inderjit Singh was born (11 Feb 1950) to Smt.
Rani Chandra Prabha and late Rao Birendra Singh the scion of the Rewari dynasty who served as a second chief minister of Haryana. He is from the royal family of Rao Tula Ram, who was a great freedom fighter. He started his carrier in 1977with the Indian National Congress (INC) party when he was elected to Haryana Vidhan Sabha as MLA. He became four times MLA to Haryana Vidhan Sabha beginning in 1977 (1977-87, 1991-96, 2000-04). In 2004 he was elected to
the 14th Lok Sabha from. Mohindergarh. In 2009,
He was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from the newly carved seat of Gurgaon. Since 2009 he has
chaired the Parliamentary Information
technology committee. Rao Inderjeet made the HARYANA INSAAF MUNCH on 4 March 2013. On 13 February, he left the Indian National Congress and joined BJP. He is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election on BJP ticket.
Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain was born to Chaudhry Tayyab Hussain and smt. Jamila Begum on 2 oct. 1962 in Rehna village of tehsil Nuh. He is the Chaudhary of All India Meos. In 1991 he contested first assembly election independently with the sign of ‗Umbrella‘ from Taoru assembly constituency. In this election Zakir Hussain registered a big win, the Congress and INLD candidates forfeited their deposits. In 2000 he contested assembly election from Taoru as a congress candidate and defeated BJP-INLD alliance candidate Suraj Pal Singh by 11000 votes. In 2009 he joined BSP and contested from Gurgaon parliamentary constituency and lost to Congress candidate Rao Inderjeet Singh by about 90000 votes. Recently he left the BSP and for the upcoming election he is contesting on INLD ticket.
Yogendra Yadav
Yogendra Yadav is an Indian politician and academic whose primary interests are in the political and social sciences. He is a former member of University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Advisory Council (NAC) on Right to
Education Act (RTE) appointed by United
Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He hails from Saharanwas (Rewari) and is a candidate for the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2014 general election from Gurgaon seat.
Dharampal Rathi
Polarization of the Votes
There is no doubt that in Gurgaon polarization of the votes will take place according to the caste and religion. Though the political leaders are denying the caste and creed politics but ground reality is far from it. On the one side Rao Inderjeet beside his traditional vote
Table: 1: Ethnic composition of Gurgaon Parliamentary Constituency-2014
M e o
Ahir/ Yada
v SC
Pu nja bi
J a t
Bra hmi n
G uj ar
Ra jpu t
Ba ni a
Ot he rs
2
0 17.5
1
3 7.6 7 4.4 4.2 4.2 2.8
19. 3 Source: The Tribune, 5 March 2014.
supporters is taking help of NAMO wave while on the other side Zakir Hussain who recently came
in INLO from BSP is eying on the loyal Jat supporter of Chautala. Yogender Yadav of AAP is hoping of the under current votes and Rao Dharampal of congress is depend on the CM Hooda supporters. The supporters of Dharampal Rathi (BSP) admit the impact of caste politics and hopeful of the support of Gujar and Bahan Ji vote bank. In politics defeat of your enemy is worth any sacrifice (Table 1). And Congress in Gurgaon appears to be doing just that. The ruling party named Badshahpur MLA Rao Dharampal as its Lok Sabha candidate, which is being seen by many as an attempt to cut into the votes of sitting MP Rao Inderjit Singh who recently switched to the BJP after a bitter campaign against chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Ajay Singh Yadav was seen lobbying for his son for this prestigious seat. But later on, he opted out. Both Dharampal and Yadav are close to the chief minister. And with this, Hooda has succeeded in getting a candidate who shares large support base with Inderjit Singh.
Dharampal, a three-time MLA has good support base in Badshshpur and Gurgaon assembly constituencies and till last elections both leaders used to campaign for each other. But now things are different. For Congress Defeating Rao Inderjeet is more important than winning a seat. But the wind is blowing in the BJP court. The upper caste vote will also be directed towards the BJP. The traditional supporter of BJP (Brahmin, Rajput and Punjabi) will surly vote for BJP. Yadav will be the real game changer of this election. Though there are three Yadav candidates in fray, the majority of Yadavs voters will definitely vote to their stalwart leader Rao Inderjeet. In addition, the split in the Jat vote, a
factor that helped the Congress sweep the state last elections, gives BJP an advantage over the Congress. The loyal Jat supporter of Chautala will vote for INLO. CM Bhupinder Hooda also tried to woo the Jat voters by playing the Jat reservation card but it will be very difficult to convert this support into votes. The Congress in Mewat mobilizing the Meos vote bank by showing the fear of Narender Modi .The congress in Mewat also appealing not to support INLO as the party is indirectly supporting BJP on national level. Thus Rao Inderjeet winning chariot may feel break in Mewat region.
The AAP factor:
The party AAP has a largegood governance is something that the AAP has promised in the state. Given its proximity to Delhi, AAP was expected to perform well in Haryana. But the pre-polls survey shows otherwise — a 17 percent drop in their popularity in the state. What lack in AAP are big names and popular faces. AAP's newbies pitted against seasoned politicians are unlikely to make a dent in the public perception. However, the only seat that AAP is likely to win is Gurgaon where Yogendra Yadav has been fielded. Kumar Vishwas had even said that Yadav may be made the chief minister of Haryana.Its candidate Yogendra Yadav may turn out to be the real beneficiary in the ego fights between Congress and BJP here. Now that Ajay Singh Yadav has opted out, Yogendra Yadav will have good chances in Rewari. Similarly, a divided vote in Gurgaon and Badshshpur may help. In such a situation, a lot will depend on votes of Meo-Muslims in Mewat and non-Yadavs spread across the parliamentary constituency. Mewat is a crucial region for Congress because of its predominantly Muslim population and its proximity to some parts of Faridabad, which also has around 3 lakh minority voters. Nearly 4.8 lakh voters in Mewat hold the key to the Gurgaon constituency, which has a total of around 17 lakh voters. Muslim votes are significant for Congress as they have traditionally supported sitting MP Rao Inderjit Singh, who has switched sides and is contesting the election as a BJP candidate. This hasn't gone down well with the Muslim population. The rally, therefore, is being seen as an attempt by Congress to convince voters to continue supporting the party despite a change of candidates. Besides BJP, INLD also poses a formidable challenge to Congress, which has been ruling the state for the past 10 years. In Mewat, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has pitched Zakir Hussain, who had fought on a BSP ticket in last Lok Sabha elections and given tough time to Inderjit Singh. This time around, Hussain stands even better chance and eyeing a large share of votes in Mewat.
There are Many Other Factors Which are
Favouring Rao Inderjeet
Congress- The Droning Ship
What afflicts Congress in Haryana? The Congress has many troubles in the state, be it anti-incumbency or rifts within the party. The chief minister of the state Bhupender Singh Hooda has found himself in the middle of many scams including land scams that also involve Robert Vadra, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. Caste based votes are crucial for the Congress, which is losing ground in Haryana. The Congress thinks that this
time also the people of Haryana favour the party. However, the Congress appears to be out of favour this time. The people are seething in anger over growing unemployment, rising corruption and the worsening conditions of the farmers, who feel cheated for having been coerced into selling their land to land sharks, government and the corporate houses at low prices. In bad times, the leaders of Congress in the state are also abandoning the party. Stalwarts Rao Inderjit Singh, Ramesh Kaushik and Dharambir Singh have joined the BJP. And those who are still part of the Congress are badmouthing it. Senior leaders like Kumari Selja have openly spoken out against the Hooda government, and Hooda made veiled attacks on her in public domain. Selja is not contesting for the polls and has applied for a Rajya Sabha membership.
People Dissatisfaction with Hooda
Government
The people of Haryana are keen for a change and have already seen Bhupinder Hooda capability and talent but rejected it. During Hooda government rule, the Gurgaon constituency has been completely neglected and the key issues of development, employment and land acquisition remained unaddressed. Gurgaon was giving 54 percent revenue in state exchequer and in retaliation getting bad road, poor sewerage and lighting, pollution, traffic jams, crime etc. Bhupinder Hooda government takes decisions which are in the interests of the particular district, and cannot think beyond the Rohtak district. Congress granted favours to the kith and kin of those in power at the cost of the area's development. This developed the anti-Congress mindset in the people of Gurgaon. Rao Inderjeet also raise the Robert Wadra case and accused that Hooda government does favouritism and takes only those decisions which suit a family. His campaign, political approach, and voice against corruption issues made him hero in the Ahirwal region. people widely supported Rao Inderjeet in various rally. Thus this dissatisfaction with Hooda government translated in to vote and support for stalwart Rao Inderjeet.
Rao Inderjeet Popularity- Not a Sandy Castle on Sea Beach
the votebank of Inderjeet but since Rao was a politician of high stature and was extremely popular in the region. They could not succeed in their foul desire. It was Rao Image that made him the winner. He is as a lotus in the mud of politics. He was clearly ahead among the young and educated people. It is believed by people of Ahirwal that he never abused his official position for favouring certain people. Rao inderjeet always placed duty before politics. The increasing popularity of Rao was not a good sign for the opponent of Rao‘s. In real sense it was the slow demise of the political career of the opponent. Even CM B.P. Hooda was not happy with Rao popularity. Rao popularity was extending towards Rohtak and it was a danger sign to Deepender Hooda (MP and son of BS Hooda). Rao had a image of development oriented leader since in his previous term he had done stellar work in the region. He had the credit for gifting the region with Sanik School, Defence University, Central University and employment in private company. In present term when he demanded CM for the Development of region, the CM B.S. Hooda did not pay attention. Rao kept on raising his voice for the development of the region but all in vein. It really hurt Rao Inderjeet and he openly raises voice against this discrimination. For the opponent of Rao it was a good time to weaken Rao and they univocally rebuked Rao‘s statement of discrimination and said that under the banner of Hooda govt. the development work in the region was on full swing. Rao then raised his voice before the party high command. High command also did not heed Rao‘s demands. Since Haryana has jat in majority, the high command did not want to annoy Hooda. Development work had been confined to Rohtak (CM city) only. The Gurgaon constituency was being discriminated in term of development, employment etc. Being a residential of Rohtak was a tag in getting govt. Services. The people of Gurgaon constituency was now questing the development work Rao had promised to bring about in the region. On seeing the ruin condition of Gurgaon, Rao decided to save the other town of region. Rao Inderjeet then on 4 March 2013 took one of the tough decisions of his political life and amid lakh of follower in Pataudi
he made “HARYANA INSAAF MUNCH”. After
‗pataudi rally‘ Rao addressed another rallies under the banner of ‗HARYANA INSAAF MUNCH‘ in Kurushetra and Bahu jamalpur (Rohtak). Aftab Ahmad (MLA Nuh) and Capt. Ajay Yadav (The opponents of Rao Inderjeet) and Rao Dharampal have shown their desire for contesting the parliamentary election from Gurgaon seat. Capt. Ajay has come forward his son Chiranjiv Yadav for the next election. On the
other side Rao Arti (the elder daughter of Rao Inderjeet) has stepped in the political arena to support his father. Rao Inderjeet on Feb.13 has joined the BJP and is contesting the upcoming election on BJP ticket. With elections to the Lok Sabha drawing near, people in the millennium city are anxious to know who will be their next representative.
Rao Inderjeet Winning Shot
Congress and its B-team (AAP) are sparing no effort to stop Rao Inderjeet. "In order to penetrate Ahir vote bank, Congress and AAP have fielded Rao Dharampal and Yogendra Yadav respectively against Inderjeet. But, that won't take them forward," despite enjoying a stranglehold over the region for a long time, reactions of local farmers show what a stiff challenge Congress faces this time. Farmers‘ lands were acquired by the Congress government for a pittance. On the other side Rao Dharampal has to virtually rely on Nuh MLA and state transport minister Aftab Ahmed to strike a chord with the minority electorate. But we all know that there is a difference between asking voters to vote for you and asking them for someone else. The Congress decision to field Dharampal instead of a minority candidate from Gurgaon has also raised a few eyebrows of the Meos. Akbar Kazmi, (A Local leader) who recently broke ranks with Congress over the issue, said, "Had Congress given a ticket to Ahmed, The Meos would have been with the party." Now the Meos have little reason to support the Congress. The BJP is cashing in on Congress governments failure in the state. Despite the AAP factor, Rao Inderjeet has a reason to smile. The party which was in government in Delhi for 49 days is not exactly the epitome of stabilty — something all voters are looking for. Hence a much higher number of the anti-incumbency votes are going to the BJP, than AAP. Now the people of Gurgaon constituency want to support a party that can form the government with a majority. They will not support the boneless and spineless party that came to power and ran away in 49 days.
support but since the election may become like Hindu versus Muslim. Jat seem to be satisfied with Rao Inderjeet at macro level and this seems to translate into Jat vote bank for Rao Inderjeet side .In last election Rao Chariot did well in Ahirwal region but felt break in Mewat region and Zakir Hussain could not go beyond Mewat region. But this time things has changed and Rao Inderjeet is leaving no stone unturned in convincing people to continue supporting him despite change of the party. With loyalties changing so drastically this time, the response of the people may well decide which way the tide will turn this time.
Conclusion
Sure Indian politics works on votebanks. Even a novice political analyst knows that no Indian politician can win without getting the caste, religion and community math right. But this time Indian politics scenario is shifting from party oriented to personality oriented politics. On
national level we are facing the trio Narender Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind kejriwal. The
same situation we see in Gurgaon parliamentary constituency in Haryana. Here this time around, the contest is not going to be any easier. Here sitting congress MP Stalwart Rao Inderjeet is contesting on a BJP ticket. He is a politician of high stature and hopeful of people support despite change of party. It won't be easy for other candidate to garner votes in Gurgaon. Though Zakir Hussain is still a formidable contender but Rao Inderjeet image, and voter satisfaction with him will enable him to counter Zakir effect. Perhaps in his earlier days, to establish himself, he had to play identity politics. But today, Rao Inderjeet Singh wins because he has done stellar work. He doesn‘t need to be insecure anymore [1-23].
We must have a competitive election in 2014, as that will keep both the major parties on their toes. Indians deserve choices, in the leaders that might govern them. It seems that Rao Inderjeet style of functioning as a down-to-earth organisational man will help him override not only anti-incumbency but also factionalism.
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