The BJP  announced its first list of 67 candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections, scheduled for October 5th. This list covers most of the 90 Assembly seats in the state and reflects the party's confidence after a decade in power.

Empowering Women

In an effort to address Haryana’s gender imbalance, the BJP has nominated eight women candidates. With 9.5 million women voters in Haryana, this move aims to strengthen the party's appeal to female voters.

Caste and Community Representation

The candidate list highlights inclusivity with 17 representatives from backward classes, including Gurjar, Yadav, Kashyap, Kumhar, Kambboj, and Saini. Additionally, 13 candidates from Scheduled Castes, such as Balmiki, Dhanuk, Bawaria, Bajigar, and Jatav, have been selected. This broad representation is intended to counter opposition claims regarding reservation policies.

Jat Community and Other Groups

The BJP has included 13 candidates from the influential Jat community. Other represented communities include Baniya, Vishnoi, Brahmin, Punjabi, Sikh, Rajput, and Jat Sikh. To ensure diverse representation, the list also features five Vaishya and nine Brahmin candidates.

New Faces and Youth Engagement

The BJP's list includes 27 newcomers, many of whom are young or recent party members. This strategy aims to attract younger voters and bring new energy to the party.

Candidates with Political Ties

Despite past criticism of nepotism, several candidates are related to prominent political figures, including Gaurav Gautam, Bhavya Bishnoi, and Randhir Panihar. This reflects the party’s balance between leveraging experience and maintaining legacy.

Notable Inclusions and Omissions

The list features unexpected candidates like Deepak Hooda, captain of the Indian Kabaddi team. However, well-known figures such as former Olympian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat were not included this time.

The BJP’s candidate list highlights its preparedness, contrasting with the Congress, which is still grappling with internal issues. The Haryana BJP remarked, "While the Congress is entangled in internal conflicts and alliances, the BJP has released its largest and most comprehensive candidate list."

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