As the counting of votes unfolds for the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana, independent candidate Chitra Sarwara is making headlines with her surprising lead in the Ambala Cantt constituency. According to the latest trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI), Sarwara is ahead with 20,443 votes, closely followed by senior BJP leader Anil Vij, the sitting MLA, who has secured 19,898 votes.
A Rebel on a Mission
Chitra Sarwara’s political journey has been anything but conventional. Once a member of the Congress party, she became a rebel candidate after being denied a ticket in favor of Parvinder Pal Pari. Sarwara’s decision to run as an independent resulted in her suspension from Congress for six years due to what the party termed “anti-party activities.” This bold move has positioned her as a formidable contender in a constituency that has long been a stronghold for Vij, who has won the seat six times.
Before her current political endeavors, Sarwara was associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), where she served as the Haryana unit’s vice president. Her political career took root in 2013 when she was elected as an independent corporator from Ambala Cantt. Later, she joined the Congress, taking on various roles such as state coordinator and spokesperson.
A Familiar Battlefield
Sarwara’s history with the Ambala Cantt constituency is significant. She contested the 2019 Haryana assembly elections as an independent candidate, finishing as the runner-up against Vij. In that election, she garnered 44,406 votes, which accounted for 36.48% of the total, while Vij claimed 64,571 votes, or 53.04%. This time around, with the support of local sentiment and her independent status, Sarwara seems poised to challenge the political status quo.
BJP’s Unyielding Grip
While Sarwara’s lead has captured attention, the overall picture in Haryana is intriguing. Despite facing ten years of anti-incumbency, the BJP appears to be inching toward a historic term, currently leading in 51 out of the 90 assembly seats, while the Congress trails with 34 seats. The performance of the BJP, especially in light of exit polls that predicted a potential loss, raises questions about voter sentiment in the region.
As the election results continue to unfold, all eyes will be on Chitra Sarwara and her potential victory against a seasoned politician like Anil Vij. If she manages to secure the seat, it could signal a shift in Haryana’s political landscape, showcasing the growing influence of independent candidates and the electorate’s willingness to challenge established political norms.
The results are a testament to the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Haryana’s political arena, with figures like Sarwara paving the way for change.
