Ruling Coalition Faces Rout In Haryana

The growing unpopularity of the Bansi Lal government in Haryana has seen the confidence of the ruling Haryana Vikas Party-Bharatiya Janata Party combine nosedive before the Lok Sabha polls.

There is a growing belief that the ruling HVP-BJP alliance may face a near rout.

There are 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. As per the agreement between the two alliance partners, the BJP will contest from six seats and the HVP from the remaining four.

According to political observers, the main reason behind the unpopularity of the government is the failure of the policy of prohibition which lead to largescale smuggling of liquor and the creation of a powerful liquor mafia enjoying the patronage of the police and political leaders.

The farming and trading community, too, are dissatisfied. The two incidents of police firing on agitating farmers demanding the repair of damaged transformers in southern Haryana have added fuel to the fire.

Despite tall claims by the state government, the power scenario in Haryana, particularly in the rural areas, has remained bleak.

The trading community, on the other hand, remains unhappy because the government has failed to fulfil its main election promise of abolishing octroi.

Observers say Bansi Lal has failed to usher in the much-needed economic development during the past 18 months.

Political analysts feel Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya) led by former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and its alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party as well as the Congress are likely to win a majority of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state.