Sonepat and its surrounding areas are famous for their delectable 'pachranga' pickles. No wonder then that the fight for the Sonepat Lok Sabha seat promises to be a spicy affair.
Sitting BJP MP Kishen Singh Sangwan is pitted against the Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) Krishna Malik. In 1999, the INLD-BJP combine had swept all the 10 Lok Sabha seats of the state. The coalition, of course, is history and both the parties have now fielded candidates in each constituency of Haryana.
Expectedly, the campaign season has been full of a lot of controversies. The Election Commission (EC) had recently ordered the transfer of Malik's husband, Haryana DG M.S. Malik. It had anticipated the use of the official machinery in her campaign. The IPS officer subsequently went on leave.
A month later, Malik has dumped the controversy into one of the dustbowls of her constituency. She storms into Hadwa village with her campaigners in big cars and old Bullets. "The only person not campaigning for me is my husband. He is not involved. Can you see any police presence?" she asks.
Evidently, her campaign has been relying heavily on Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. "Chautala is Haryana’s pride. Think carefully before casting your vote" is the rough translation of a Haryanvi song that blares for whoever cares to listen.
{{/usCountry}}Evidently, her campaign has been relying heavily on Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. "Chautala is Haryana’s pride. Think carefully before casting your vote" is the rough translation of a Haryanvi song that blares for whoever cares to listen.
{{/usCountry}}Malik repeatedly invokes Chautala in her speeches. Support for her is evident with INLD flags fluttering atop most houses.
Villagers say some developmental work — better roads, more schools — have percolated to Sonepat's villages. But it’s Chautala, not Sangwan, who is harvesting the returns.
Malik is also riding high on this confidence. As she steps out of her car, she is mobbed, hugged and ushered into the chaupal. She is garlanded with currency notes.
"I am a daughter of the villages and have spent my entire life in villages. I was always into social work. Politics will provide me another avenue to do social work," she says. The women listen with rapt attention. And from the round of applause, her auddience seem to relish the distinct tang in her campaign speech.