With Subhash Barala’s RS candidacy, the BJP hopes to win over farmers and Jats

“Over the last nine years, a number of pro-farmer policies have been introduced by the BJP-led administrations at both the federal and state levels. According to a top BJP official who spoke to The Tribune today, “the nomination of Subhash Barala for the RS seat shows that the governments are at the forefront of safeguarding the interests of the Jats and farming communities.”

Party insiders said that the BJP already had a sizable support base among urban and non-Jat voters. According to the sources, Barala’s victory would convey the correct message to the Jats, who have never been the party’s main source of support, in the next Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Barala’s decision, however, further demonstrated that Khattar was in charge of state politics.

Khattar has made it abundantly evident to his critics both within and outside the state that his influence was unrestricted after appointing another close ally, Nayab Singh Saini, as the state BJP leader.

Barala would be proclaimed elected in the Upper House seat without opposition on February 20, the deadline for withdrawal of candidacies, as he was the sole contender for the vacant seat. On April 2, the six-year term of current BJP Member of Parliament Lt General DP Vats (retd) will expire, leaving the RS seat vacant.