A clutch of Independents challenging the dominance of the two main political families have voters spoilt for choice in this constituency in Jind district.

Set in the heart of the state’s Jat belt, Uchana tehsil has seen enthusiastic participation in the farmers’ movement since 2020 and the Jat reservation agitation in 2016.

Former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala is contesting for a second term as MLA. His Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) quit the NDA earlier this year. Former BJP parliamentarian Brijendra Singh, great-grandson of Jat icon Sir Chhotu Ram, is contesting on a Congress ticket.

Besides the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party and the Indian National Lok Dal, several Independents including Congress rebel Virender Ghogharian and Uchana municipal chairman Vikas are in the fray.

Jagbir of Baroda village with a campaign card of JJP leader Dushyant Chautala in his turban and Independent candidate Virender Ghogharian's wristband

As in neighbouring Punjab during the Lok Sabha polls, farmer activists have heckled or shown black flags to BJP campaigners at a few places during the ongoing electioneering in Haryana.

In Chhatar village here, Chautala was gheraoed for joining hands with the BJP in 2019.

“Why shouldn’t we boycott him? There is not even a proper bus service to this village. He didn’t bother after becoming MLA and joining hands with the BJP,” Chhatar resident Dharam Pal told The Telegraph.

“Even after the farm laws were passed, he stayed in the government with them. Premlataji (former BJP MLA and Brijendra Singh’s mother) did a lot of work, and we will vote for her son. Even if the Congress had fielded a lamppost this time, we would have supported the party. The BJP must be punished.”

In Baroda village, shopkeeper Pavittar Chahal was waiting for a BJP meeting to take place.

“Gheraoing is not our culture and the media is misreporting that we are boycotting the BJP. We just want to ask them questions. If someone comes and starts making false promises in front of your house, don’t you have the right to question him?” he said.

“We voted for Dushyant against the BJP but he joined them and became deputy chief minister. What did he do for us? Only three or four teachers come to the government school, and we are forced to send our children to expensive private schools. Only the AAP talks about schools, but they are not strong here,” he added.

“I think either Virender Ghogharian or Vikas will win, although I think the Congress will form the government. (But) they should not have fielded a BJP man.”

SKM leader Ajad Singh (left with phone) at the farmers' dharna in Uchana. Pictures by Pheroze L Vincent

Farmer groups have failed to settle on a consensus candidate as they are unhappy with the Congress’s choice of Brijendra, who had supported the now-rescinded farm laws.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s Ajad Singh has been leading a dharna at the Uchana sub-divisional magistrate’s office for almost two years now, demanding remunerative prices for all crops and pressing the other demands of the farmers’ movement as well.

He had filed his nomination as an Independent but withdrew. “We will decide which Independent to back before the polls,” Ajad told this newspaper.

“The Congress gave the ticket to the wrong person. His family dominated Uchana for more than half a century and did not allow any peasant or labour movement to thrive. We don’t even have a college here, nor is there irrigation — because, if the peasants study and prosper, they will sideline all these bigwigs.”

Ajad said that none of the candidates had visited the dharna site. The farmers’ main demand from the candidates is to bring the waters of the Sutlej from the Bhakra Canal through Sirsa in the north.

“Once Hoodaji (Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda) comes to power, we will take our demands to him,” Ajad said.

“Irrespective of who wins the election from here, the farmers’ movement will continue until we get fair prices, and other basic things that agriculture needs to become sustainable. We feed Delhi, and governments need us.”

Old loyalties still endure for some. Jagbir, an elder from Baroda village sports a JJP card in his turban and wears a pink wristband with Ghogharian’s road-roller symbol.

“How can I not support (late chief minister and deputy Prime Minister) Devi Lal’s great-grandson (Dushyant)? Devi Lal changed the face of Haryana. Dushyant could not do much, but maybe he will do something if re-elected as he is a Chautala,” Jagbir said.

Asked about his wristband, he replied: “Virender apna ladka hai (Virender is our boy). He speaks well and has worked hard. I am confused. Who can you trust these days?”

Haryana votes on October 5