Faridabad: As the upcoming Assembly elections draw closer, political analysts are closely watching the influence of migrant voters in Faridabad district. With a significant proportion of the electorate in key constituencies hailing from neighboring states, their voting preferences are expected to be crucial in determining the outcomes in Faridabad, Ballabgarh, NIT, Tigaon, and Badkhal Assembly segments.
According to political sources, migrants, often referred to as “pravasis,” make up between 60% to 70% of the vote bank in the NIT and Ballabgarh segments. In the constituencies of Badkhal, Tigaon, and Faridabad, this percentage ranges from 40% to 55% of the eligible voters, underscoring their significant influence on the election results.
Kamal Sharma, a political activist, highlighted the historical importance of migrant voters, pointing to the election of a migrant leader as the first Mayor of Faridabad in 1994. This event marked the beginning of the political dominance of migrant communities in the region. The NIT constituency, in particular, has seen two MLAs from migrant backgrounds, further establishing their electoral importance. Pt Shiv Charan Lal Sharma, who was elected as an Independent MLA in 2009, and his son Neeraj Sharma, who won on a Congress ticket in 2019, represent this trend. Notably, the NIT segment was the only seat among the six in Faridabad district that Congress won in the 2019 elections.
The ruling BJP secured victories in Faridabad, Badkhal, Tigaon, and Ballabgarh in the last elections, while the Prithla seat went to an Independent candidate. However, the influence of migrant voters continues to be a key factor, especially in areas with large slum-type colonies such as AC Nagar, Ram Nagar, Gonchhi, SGM Nagar, Gandhi Colony, Sanjay Colony, Bhood Colony, Dabua Nagar, Jeevan Nagar, Jamai Colony, Krishna Colony, Bharat Colony, and Palla. Satish Chopra, a social activist, emphasized that these areas, where migrants constitute about 60% of the vote bank, will be vital battlegrounds for candidates seeking electoral success.
In recognition of the importance of migrant voters, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda pledged to establish a welfare board for migrant workers if his party comes to power. Speaking at a meeting on August 17, Hooda acknowledged the contributions of migrants to Haryana’s development, particularly in the growth of industries and financial investments. He stressed that the role of migrants in the state’s economy should not be underestimated.
As the election campaign intensifies, the battle for the support of migrant voters is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of Faridabad district.
+ There are no comments
Add yours