sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ahirwal, Ajay Singh Yadav, Gurgaon, Palwal district, South Haryana

ISSN: 2347-7474

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 Parliamentary Constituency for Upcoming Election 2014

Pratap Singh1, Ashwani Kumar2*, Anil1

1Department of Geography, MD University, , .

2 Department 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 . 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 About 17 lakh voters will decide the fate of 23 recent time. The long existing party oriented candidates in the fray. Like many other states in politics is facing the stiff competition from India, here too the Narendra Modi wave seems to personality-oriented politics. One side it is a have swept the voters, as the Congress lags change for the country on the other side it is a behind. In the 2009 Elections, the threat for dynastic politics. A national party Congress had won nine seats. This time the huge forward a person born in a humble background traction towards BJP's candidate Rao Inderjeet is and declare him the Prime Ministerial candidate not just based on Congress' misgovernance in the because of his hard work, his integrity, his state but also because of his popularity. leadership and also his record of good governance. On the other side people of the nation come Objective forward and decide to make a party that The present study has the following objectives: represents the AAM AADMI. This party in its very first election astonished all and make the The review the popularity of Rao Inderjeet in government in New by defeating big region. political gun like Sheela Dixit. The candidates of this party were neither from higher class nor from To analyze the electoral behavior of the voters. any political dynasty. These were the Aam Aadmi To find out the shifting change from party of the Nation. This is a clear sign of the shifting oriented politics towards personality oriented political paradigm. The same thing we see in politics. Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency (In Haryana state) upcoming election. There is a multi- Study area: Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency is cornered contest in almost all the seats in one of the 10 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) Haryana. However one of the most interesting constituencies in Haryana state in northern India. and tough battle will be in Gurgaon. Here former It falls in the Southern most region of the state of Congress stalwart Rao Inderjeet Singh is fighting Haryana. On its north, the Jhajjar & the for the BJP. AAP's biggest hope Yogendra Yadav union territory of Delhi bound it; and is also fighting a four-cornered fight against BJP, District lies to its east. On southeast, it Congress' Dharam Pal and INLD's Zakhir shares boundaries with whereas Hussain. Mahandergarh lies in its north-west. The state

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 17 Available online at: www.ijassh.com

Rajasthan lies in its south-west (Gurgaon Election , , Punhana and part of Office). assembly and was dominated by Muslims. The Gujjar region is located in eastern part of This constituency was in existence from 1952-77. Sohna- an assembly segment which was It came into existence again in 2008 as a part of comprised of Sohna (part of ) and the implementation of the recommendations of (part of district) and had the the Delimitation Commission of India constituted characteristics of the trio Ahirwal , Mewat and in 2002 (District Election Office Gurgaon). The Gujjar region. Muslims with over 25 percent of Gurgaon parliamentary constituency was the total electorate have emerged as the biggest comprised of three distinct geographical region- force in this constituency, while around 20 Ahirwal, Mewat and Gujjar. Ahirwal region had percent are from OBCs. Jats, Rajputs, Gujjars the assembly segment of , , , andBrahmins together constitute over 30 percent Gurgaon, Badshapur and part of Sohna assembly, of the voters (The Hindu 1, May 2009). and was dominated by Hindu population while the Mewat region had the assembly segment of

Data Base and Research Methodology collected from various sources and through diverse methods. More emphasis has been placed Data required for the purpose of understanding on published materials and written documents the whole range of basic facts, opinions and while discussion with political leaders and people attitudes relevant to our study have been

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 18 Available online at: www.ijassh.com belonging to different walk of life have been Rani Chandra Prabha and late Rao Birendra conducted in a limited scale in order to present Singh the scion of the Rewari dynasty who served the course of events in its proper perspective. The as a second chief minister of Haryana. He is from secondary data have been collected from District the royal family of Rao Tula Ram, who was a Election Office- Gurgaon, Census of India 2001 great freedom fighter. He started his carrier in and 2011. Various statistical and cartographic 1977with the Indian National Congress (INC) techniques have been used to provide a bird‘s eye party when he was elected to Haryana Vidhan view to the collected primary and secondary data. Sabha as MLA. He became four times MLA to Mapping and graphical presentation works have Haryana Vidhan Sabha beginning in 1977 (1977- been made with the help of GIS techniques and 87, 1991-96, 2000-04). In 2004 he was elected to Ms-Excel. the 14th Lok Sabha from. Mohindergarh. In 2009, He was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from the Candidates newly carved seat of Gurgaon. Since 2009 he has Unlike Britain and the Anglo-Saxon successor chaired the Parliamentary Information states of the British Empire, India lacks a technology committee. Rao Inderjeet made the dominant two-party system. Indian elections are HARYANA INSAAF MUNCH on 4 March 2013. therefore characterized by a multiplicity of parties On 13 February, he left the Indian National and candidates. Many of the latter enter electoral Congress and joined BJP. He is contesting the arena as ‗Independent‘ (i.e., non-party) upcoming parliamentary election on BJP ticket. candidates. In 2014 upcoming election, Gurgaon Zakir Hussain has a total number of 23 contestants, including 18 ‗independent‘. The five party candidates had Zakir Hussain was born to Chaudhry Tayyab belonged to Congress (I), BJP-HJC alliance, Hussain and smt. Jamila Begum on 2 oct. 1962 in INLD, AAP and BSP. All these five candidates- Rehna village of tehsil Nuh. He is the Chaudhary Rao Dhrampal (Congress-I), Rao Inderjeet (BJP), of All India Meos. In 1991 he contested first Zakir Hussain (INLD), Yogender Yadav (AAP) assembly election independently with the sign of and Dharampal Rathi (BSP) will be the main ‗Umbrella‘ from Taoru assembly constituency. In contestor in the upcoming election. this election Zakir Hussain registered a big win, the Congress and INLD candidates forfeited their Rao Dharampal deposits. In 2000 he contested assembly election Born on 2nd April, 1942 at village Sirhol, a small from Taoru as a congress candidate and defeated village in Gurgaon District of , Rao BJP-INLD alliance candidate Suraj Pal Singh by Dharampal has been a staunch congress man and 11000 votes. In 2009 he joined BSP and contested has served the party sincerely & dedicatedly. He from Gurgaon parliamentary constituency and was elected M.L.A. thrice from Sohna – 60 lost to Congress candidate Rao Inderjeet Singh by assembly Constituency in the years 1987, 1991 & about 90000 votes. Recently he left the BSP and 2000. He also remained a Minister in Haryana for the upcoming election he is contesting on Govt. for a full term during the period of 1991- INLD ticket. 1996. He is presently Vice President of Haryana Yogendra Yadav Pradesh Congress Committee and has been holding this post since 1997. His capabilities Yogendra Yadav is an Indian politician and were recongnised by Ch. Bhopinder Singh Hooda academic whose primary interests are in the Govt. and therefore he was made the Chairman of political and social sciences. He is a former Haryana Pardesh Congress committee OBC cell of member of University Grants Commission (UGC) Haryana. He is the Congress candidate for the and National Advisory Council (NAC) on Right to upcoming election. Education Act (RTE) appointed by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He hails Rao Inderjeet Singh from Saharanwas (Rewari) and is a candidate for An Indian politician, Rao Inderjit Singh is a the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2014 general serving member of the 15th Lok Sabha, the Lower election from Gurgaon seat. house of the Parliament of India. He represents 09 Gurgaon Parliamentary Constituency in Dharampal Rathi Haryana, having previously represented Dharampal rathi is a socal activist born in Kota Mohindergarh. At the national level he has served village in Gurgaon District. He is the BSP as Cabinet Minister for the Environment, as candidate from Gurgaon seat for the upcoming Minister of State for External Affairs, and as general election Minister of State for Defense Production. Rao Inderjit Singh was born (11 Feb 1950) to Smt.

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 19 Available online at: www.ijassh.com Polarization of the Votes in INLO from BSP is eying on the loyal Jat supporter of Chautala. Yogender Yadav of AAP is There is no doubt that in Gurgaon polarization of hoping of the under current votes and Rao the votes will take place according to the caste Dharampal of congress is depend on the CM and religion. Though the political leaders are Hooda supporters. The supporters of Dharampal denying the caste and creed politics but ground Rathi (BSP) admit the impact of caste politics and reality is far from it. On the one side Rao hopeful of the support of Gujar and Bahan Ji vote Inderjeet beside his traditional vote bank. In politics defeat of your enemy is worth any sacrifice (Table 1). And Congress in Gurgaon Table: 1: Ethnic composition of Gurgaon appears to be doing just that. The ruling party Parliamentary Constituency-2014 named MLA Rao Dharampal as its M / Pu J Bra G Ra Ba Ot Lok Sabha candidate, which is being seen by e Yada S nja a hmi uj jpu ni he many as an attempt to cut into the votes of sitting o v C bi t n ar t a rs MP Rao Inderjit Singh who recently switched to 2 1 19. the BJP after a bitter campaign against chief 0 17.5 3 7.6 7 4.4 4.2 4.2 2.8 3 minister . Source: The Tribune, 5 March 2014. supporters is taking help of NAMO wave while on the other side Zakir Hussain who recently came

Ajay Singh Yadav was seen lobbying for his son factor that helped the Congress sweep the state for this prestigious seat. But later on, he opted last elections, gives BJP an advantage over the out. Both Dharampal and Yadav are close to the Congress. The loyal Jat supporter of Chautala chief minister. And with this, Hooda has will vote for INLO. CM Bhupinder Hooda also succeeded in getting a candidate who shares large tried to woo the Jat voters by playing the Jat support base with Inderjit Singh. reservation card but it will be very difficult to convert this support into votes. The Congress in Dharampal, a three-time MLA has good support Mewat mobilizing the Meos vote bank by showing base in Badshshpur and Gurgaon assembly the fear of Narender Modi .The congress in Mewat constituencies and till last elections both leaders also appealing not to support INLO as the party is used to campaign for each other. But now things indirectly supporting BJP on national level. Thus are different. For Congress Defeating Rao Rao Inderjeet winning chariot may feel break in Inderjeet is more important than winning a seat. Mewat region. But the wind is blowing in the BJP court. The upper caste vote will also be directed towards the The AAP factor: The party AAP has a large BJP. The traditional supporter of BJP (Brahmin, support base in Gurgaon. The AAP, as it is doing Rajput and Punjabi) will surly vote for BJP. in Delhi, is eating into the votes of both the Yadav will be the real game changer of this Congress and the BJP. However, it is doing more election. Though there are three Yadav harm to the BJP than the Congress since, candidates in fray, the majority of Yadavs voters essentially, it is dividing the anti-Congress votes. will definitely vote to their stalwart leader Rao These would have gone to the BJP otherwise. Inderjeet. In addition, the split in the Jat vote, a Decentralisation, employment, education and

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 20 Available online at: www.ijassh.com good governance is something that the AAP has time also the people of Haryana favour the party. promised in the state. Given its proximity to However, the Congress appears to be out of favour Delhi, AAP was expected to perform well in this time. The people are seething in anger over Haryana. But the pre-polls survey shows growing unemployment, rising corruption and the otherwise — a 17 percent drop in their popularity worsening conditions of the farmers, who feel in the state. What lack in AAP are big names and cheated for having been coerced into selling their popular faces. AAP's newbies pitted against land to land sharks, government and the seasoned politicians are unlikely to make a dent corporate houses at low prices. In bad times, the in the public perception. However, the only seat leaders of Congress in the state are also that AAP is likely to win is Gurgaon where abandoning the party. Stalwarts Rao Inderjit Yogendra Yadav has been fielded. Kumar Singh, Ramesh Kaushik and Dharambir Singh Vishwas had even said that Yadav may be made have joined the BJP. And those who are still part the chief minister of Haryana.Its candidate of the Congress are badmouthing it. Senior Yogendra Yadav may turn out to be the real leaders like Kumari Selja have openly spoken out beneficiary in the ego fights between Congress against the Hooda government, and Hooda made and BJP here. Now that Ajay Singh Yadav has veiled attacks on her in public domain. Selja is opted out, Yogendra Yadav will have good chances not contesting for the polls and has applied for a in Rewari. Similarly, a divided vote in Gurgaon Rajya Sabha membership. and Badshshpur may help. In such a situation, a lot will depend on votes of -Muslims in Mewat People Dissatisfaction with Hooda and non-Yadavs spread across the parliamentary Government constituency. Mewat is a crucial region for The people of Haryana are keen for a change and Congress because of its predominantly Muslim have already seen Bhupinder Hooda capability population and its proximity to some parts of and talent but rejected it. During Hooda Faridabad, which also has around 3 lakh minority government rule, the Gurgaon constituency has voters. Nearly 4.8 lakh voters in Mewat hold the been completely neglected and the key issues of key to the Gurgaon constituency, which has a development, employment and land acquisition total of around 17 lakh voters. Muslim votes are remained unaddressed. Gurgaon was giving 54 significant for Congress as they have traditionally percent revenue in state exchequer and in supported sitting MP Rao Inderjit Singh, who has retaliation getting bad road, poor sewerage and switched sides and is contesting the election as a lighting, pollution, traffic jams, crime etc. BJP candidate. This hasn't gone down well with Bhupinder Hooda government takes decisions the Muslim population. The rally, therefore, is which are in the interests of the particular being seen as an attempt by Congress to convince district, and cannot think beyond the Rohtak voters to continue supporting the party despite a district. Congress granted favours to the kith and change of candidates. Besides BJP, INLD also kin of those in power at the cost of the area's poses a formidable challenge to Congress, which development. This developed the anti-Congress has been ruling the state for the past 10 years. In mindset in the people of Gurgaon. Rao Inderjeet Mewat, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has also raise the Robert Wadra case and accused that pitched Zakir Hussain, who had fought on a BSP Hooda government does favouritism and takes ticket in last Lok Sabha elections and given tough only those decisions which suit a family. His time to Inderjit Singh. This time around, Hussain campaign, political approach, and voice against stands even better chance and eyeing a large corruption issues made him hero in the Ahirwal share of votes in Mewat. region. people widely supported Rao Inderjeet in There are Many Other Factors Which are various rally. Thus this dissatisfaction with Favouring Rao Inderjeet Hooda government translated in to vote and support for stalwart Rao Inderjeet. Congress- The Droning Ship Rao Inderjeet Popularity- Not a Sandy Castle What afflicts Congress in Haryana? The Congress on Sea Beach has many troubles in the state, be it anti- Rao Inderjeet is extremely popular among the incumbency or rifts within the party. The chief people of Ahirwal region and is a leader of high minister of the state Bhupender Singh Hooda has stature. He emerged the winner candidates in the found himself in the middle of many scams 2009 election. It was a bad news for the people including land scams that also involve Robert who did not want to see him as the winner Vadra, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. Caste based candidates. Most of among these people were the votes are crucial for the Congress, which is losing congressian that were not happy with Rao ground in Haryana. The Congress thinks that this popularity in the region. They tried hard to spoil

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 21 Available online at: www.ijassh.com the votebank of Inderjeet but since Rao was a other side Rao Arti (the elder daughter of Rao politician of high stature and was extremely Inderjeet) has stepped in the political arena to popular in the region. They could not succeed in support his father. Rao Inderjeet on Feb.13 has their foul desire. It was Rao Image that made him joined the BJP and is contesting the upcoming the winner. He is as a lotus in the mud of politics. election on BJP ticket. With elections to the Lok He was clearly ahead among the young and Sabha drawing near, people in the millennium educated people. It is believed by people of are anxious to know who will be their next Ahirwal that he never abused his official position representative. for favouring certain people. Rao inderjeet always placed duty before politics. The increasing Rao Inderjeet Winning Shot popularity of Rao was not a good sign for the Congress and its B-team (AAP) are sparing no opponent of Rao‘s. In real sense it was the slow effort to stop Rao Inderjeet. "In order to penetrate demise of the political career of the opponent. Ahir vote bank, Congress and AAP have fielded Even CM B.P. Hooda was not happy with Rao Rao Dharampal and Yogendra Yadav respectively popularity. Rao popularity was extending towards against Inderjeet. But, that won't take them Rohtak and it was a danger sign to Deepender forward," despite enjoying a stranglehold over the Hooda (MP and son of BS Hooda). Rao had a region for a long time, reactions of local farmers image of development oriented leader since in his show what a stiff challenge Congress faces this previous term he had done stellar work in the time. Farmers‘ lands were acquired by the region. He had the credit for gifting the region Congress government for a pittance. On the other with Sanik School, Defence University, Central side Rao Dharampal has to virtually rely on Nuh University and employment in private company. MLA and state transport minister Aftab Ahmed In present term when he demanded CM for the to strike a chord with the minority electorate. But Development of region, the CM B.S. Hooda did we all know that there is a difference between not pay attention. Rao kept on raising his voice asking voters to vote for you and asking them for for the development of the region but all in vein. someone else. The Congress decision to field It really hurt Rao Inderjeet and he openly raises Dharampal instead of a minority candidate from voice against this discrimination. For the Gurgaon has also raised a few eyebrows of the opponent of Rao it was a good time to weaken Rao Meos. Akbar Kazmi, (A Local leader) who recently and they univocally rebuked Rao‘s statement of broke ranks with Congress over the issue, said, discrimination and said that under the banner of "Had Congress given a ticket to Ahmed, The Meos Hooda govt. the development work in the region would have been with the party." Now the Meos was on full swing. Rao then raised his voice before have little reason to support the Congress. The the party high command. High command also did BJP is cashing in on Congress governments not heed Rao‘s demands. Since Haryana has jat in failure in the state. Despite the AAP factor, Rao majority, the high command did not want to Inderjeet has a reason to smile. The party which annoy Hooda. Development work had been was in government in Delhi for 49 days is not confined to Rohtak (CM city) only. The Gurgaon exactly the epitome of stabilty — something all constituency was being discriminated in term of voters are looking for. Hence a much higher development, employment etc. Being a number of the anti-incumbency votes are going to residential of Rohtak was a tag in getting govt. the BJP, than AAP. Now the people of Gurgaon Services. The people of Gurgaon constituency was constituency want to support a party that can now questing the development work Rao had form the government with a majority. They will promised to bring about in the region. On seeing not support the boneless and spineless party that the ruin condition of Gurgaon, Rao decided to save came to power and ran away in 49 days. the other town of region. Rao Inderjeet then on 4 March 2013 took one of the tough decisions of his However, Rao Inderjeet Singh agreed that his political life and amid lakh of follower in Pataudi fight is with INLD candidate Zakir Hussain, who he made “HARYANA INSAAF MUNCH”. After is also a strong candidate and has strong control ‗pataudi rally‘ Rao addressed another rallies in Muslim-dominated areas of Mewat region. under the banner of ‗HARYANA INSAAF INLD being hopeful of positive returns from this MUNCH‘ in Kurushetra and Bahu jamalpur region after having fielded a Muslim face. Last (Rohtak). Aftab Ahmad (MLA Nuh) and Capt. time also there was a close fight between Rao Ajay Yadav (The opponents of Rao Inderjeet) and Inderjeet and Zakir hussain. Zakir Hussain is Rao Dharampal have shown their desire for hopeful from getting the support of loyal contesting the parliamentary election from supporters of INLD supremo Om Prakash Gurgaon seat. Capt. Ajay has come forward his Chautala. On the other side INLD supporters has son Chiranjiv Yadav for the next election. On the little reason to reward Rao Inderjeet with their

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 22 Available online at: www.ijassh.com support but since the election may become like same situation we see in Gurgaon parliamentary Hindu versus Muslim. Jat seem to be satisfied constituency in Haryana. Here this time around, with Rao Inderjeet at macro level and this seems the contest is not going to be any easier. Here to translate into Jat vote bank for Rao Inderjeet sitting congress MP Stalwart Rao Inderjeet is side .In last election Rao Chariot did well in contesting on a BJP ticket. He is a politician of Ahirwal region but felt break in Mewat region high stature and hopeful of people support despite and Zakir Hussain could not go beyond Mewat change of party. It won't be easy for other region. But this time things has changed and Rao candidate to garner votes in Gurgaon. Though Inderjeet is leaving no stone unturned in Zakir Hussain is still a formidable contender but convincing people to continue supporting him Rao Inderjeet image, and voter satisfaction with despite change of the party. With loyalties him will enable him to counter Zakir effect. changing so drastically this time, the response of Perhaps in his earlier days, to establish himself, the people may well decide which way the tide he had to play identity politics. But today, Rao will turn this time. Inderjeet Singh wins because he has done stellar work. He doesn‘t need to be insecure anymore [1- Conclusion 23]. Sure Indian politics works on votebanks. Even a We must have a competitive election in 2014, as novice political analyst knows that no Indian that will keep both the major parties on their toes. politician can win without getting the caste, Indians deserve choices, in the leaders that might religion and community math right. But this time govern them. It seems that Rao Inderjeet style of Indian politics scenario is shifting from party functioning as a down-to-earth organisational oriented to personality oriented politics. On man will help him override not only anti- national level we are facing the trio Narender incumbency but also factionalism. Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind kejriwal. The Reference 1. Ahirwal changes caste colour of - 12. Kumar Anil (2012) ‗The Ahirwal Region: A Mahendergarh. , 2 May 2009. Historical Unique Identity. International Journal of Computing andCorporate Research, 2(5). 2. Amar Ujala, 12 March 2014. 13. Polls LS: Gurgaon hopes to get better 3. Brass, Paul R (1974) Language, Religion and representation‘ The Tribune, 25 Jan. 2009 Politics in , Cambridge University Press, London. 14. New seat, old faces, surprise entrants, The Hindu, 1 May 2009 4. Census of India 2001, 2011. 15. The Tribune, 6 March 2014. 5. Chahar SS (2004) ‗Dynamics of Electoral Politics in Haryana‘, Sanjay Prakashan, 4378/4B, 208, JMD 16. ‗Rao Inderjit Singh floats ‗Haryana Insaaf Manch‘ House, Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, - , 4 March 2013. 110002. 17. Singh Pratap (2013) ‗Spatial Pattern of Rao 6. Dainik Jagran, 17 March 2014. Inderjeet‘s Votes in Gurgaon Parliamentary Constituency: A Case Study of Ethnic Voting in 7. Dikshit RD, Singh Sachinder (1993) and 2009 Election‘. M.phil. Dissertation, Department of Neighbours influence in Indian elections: A case Geography, MD. University Rohtak, Haryana, study of rural voting in the sonepat parliamentary India. constituency (Haryana) 1989. Asian Profile, 21(6):485-486. 18. Yadav KC (2000) Ahirwal: Itihaas ev Sanskriti‘, Arbindo Printing and Publishing Associates, G-19, 8. District Election Office, Gurgaon. Laxminagar, Delhi-92. 9. Gurgaon District Gazetteer. 19. http://www [email protected] 10. Gurgaon MP floats Insaaf Manch for south 20. http://www ibnlive.in.com Haryana‘ Times of India, 4 March 2013. 21. http://www [email protected] 11. Ibrahim Rocket (1989) ―The Socio-economic Profile of Mewat‖, Radha Publication, New Delhi- 22. http://www tribuneindia.com 110002.69-95. 23. http://www.raoinderjitsingh.com

Ashwani Kumar| May. 2014 | Vol.2 | Issue 5|17-23 23