BJP looks at cracking Jat code for gains in Haryana

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s success in the Lok Sabha elections has made it a major contender for power in Haryana.

After bagging seven of 10 Lok Sabha seats — with BJP candidates winning from 52 of 90 Assembly segments — insiders admit that devising a coherent strategy to tackle the State’s complex caste structure, dominated by Jats, is still a challenge.

With Assembly elections due in October, a section of senior BJP leaders feel that cracking these elections without a Jat face to lead the party will not be easy.

The logic behind its previous electoral alliances was that regional players like the INLD or the Haryana Vikas Party brought in the Jat votes while BJP attracted the largely urban non-Jat votes.

“The Jats want to come with us but will do so only if we give them representation. It is crucial to consolidate this new vote bank if we have to emerge as a lead player here,” said a senior leader.