Chandigarh: The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are witnessing a shift away from the traditional caste-based calculations, with emerging issues like the Agniveer scheme, farmers’ concerns, the portal system, and the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) taking center stage in the political discourse. Political parties and voters alike are engaging more with these critical subjects than with conventional caste-based discussions.
Agniveer Scheme Becomes a Key Election Issue
The Agniveer scheme, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to capitalize on, has become a major issue in the elections. BJP has promised government jobs and loans for Agniveers, aiming to secure the support of the youth. However, other political parties are viewing this scheme with skepticism.
Haryana, known for its high enthusiasm for military recruitment, has seen disappointment among many youths due to the Agniveer scheme’s limited four-year tenure. The Congress and other opposition parties are targeting the BJP over this, seeking to leverage the discontent among the youth for electoral gains.
Farmers and Portal System Change the Equation
The issue of farmers is another crucial element in Haryana’s election landscape. While the BJP has announced the procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), Congress and other parties are also actively trying to attract the farming community. Additionally, the portal system introduced by the BJP has become a contentious issue in the electoral arena. Opposition parties have criticized the portal system, calling it inefficient and complicated, and have vowed to abolish it if elected.
Law and Order and Old Pension Scheme
The issue of law and order is also being raised vigorously among both urban and rural voters. The BJP, Congress, and other parties have made state security and law enforcement a key part of their electoral promises. Moreover, the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) has emerged as a significant issue for government employees, with Congress and other parties championing its cause.
Development and Employment Over Caste Equations
This time around, the Haryana elections are moving away from caste equations, focusing instead on issues of development and employment. Political parties are building their electoral strategies around subjects like the Agniveer scheme, farmers’ concerns, OPS, and the portal system. This shift indicates that voters are gearing up to cast their ballots based on public welfare issues rather than traditional caste alignments.
The electoral landscape in Haryana appears to have undergone a significant transformation. Issues like Agniveer, farmers’ welfare, and OPS are now playing a dominant role, overshadowing the caste-based equations that once held sway. It will be interesting to see how this new strategy of the political parties and the changing priorities of voters shape the final outcome of the elections.
