KC Tyagi, Chandigarh: Recently, while addressing the party workers at the BJP headquarters after the victory in the Haryana Assembly elections, PM Narendra Modi, remembering the old days of the party, had said that how Jan Sangh and BJP have reached this position after facing so many insults. Actually, there was a painful story behind his statement. Remember that Narendra Modi had also once been in-charge of the Haryana organization. Well, let’s talk about that election. Lok Dal used to be a party with a large support base in that period. Devi Lal was a popular public leader. His rapport with the leaders of Jan Sangh and later BJP was friendly. During the 1982 elections, Devi Lal’s estrangement from the party’s national leadership (Charan Singh) became well known.
What happened during the time of Devilal?
The Haryana party seemed clearly divided into two parts. The supremacy of groups in Lok Dal was clearly visible in ticket distribution. Its effect was visible in the election results. Contesting elections on 65 seats, Lok Dal won 31 seats. BJP’s strike rate was very bad. By contesting on 24 seats, it could win only 6 seats. At that time Mangal Sen was the strongest leader of BJP. Lok Dal+BJP alliance got more seats than Congress party. With the support of more than half a dozen independents, the majority mark was crossed. A delegation of more than half a dozen leaders including Devi Lal, Mangal Sen, Swaroop Singh and Ravi Rai met Governor Ganpatrao Tapase and staked claim to form the government.
game behind the scenes
Meanwhile, Devi Lal was busy consulting with allies regarding the selection of future members of the Council of Ministers. Meanwhile, news was received that Bhajan Lal has been invited by the Governor to take oath as the Chief Minister on May 23 at 6 pm. This was a period of controversial decisions taken by the Congress Party and its leader Indira Gandhi. Earlier, Devi Lal had submitted the list containing signatures of more than majority members to the Governor. In Haryana at that time, the anti-defection law was continuously misused and the government kept changing.
By misusing this, Bhajanlal was successful in proving majority. There was a strong reaction across the country. But the weak and helpless opposition failed to pose any major challenge. Then lakhs of people took part in the Chandigarh march under the leadership of Prakash Singh Badal. The police lathicharged. Sharad Yadav and I along with several hundred workers went to Chandigarh jail.
What happened after the assassination of Indira Gandhi?
After the assassination of Indira ji in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi received the mandate with an overwhelming majority. After the Assam Accord, he started carrying out peace efforts in the troubled Punjab. Under this, Rajiv Longowal Pact came into existence on July 24, 1985. But Haryana became restless due to many issues and Haryana Sangharsh Samiti was born under the leadership of Devi Lal. Devi Lal was appointed its president and Mangal Sen its secretary.
S.Y.L. Haryana had already registered its protest regarding the expansion of the canal. Now a new uproar has arisen regarding the transfer of villages on the border. Meanwhile, Bansi Lal was made the Chief Minister in 1986 by removing Bhajan Lal. His image was that of an efficient administrator, but public discontent was not subsiding. The huge rally organized in Jind broke all previous records. This was the period when Congress was continuously losing support base under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi.
What happened after Charan Singh’s death?
After the lock of Ram Janmabhoomi was opened in 1986, Muslim organizations came to the streets on a large scale. Regarding the functioning of the top leadership of Congress, V.P. Many big leaders including Singh, Arun Nehru, Vidyacharan Shukla had become dissatisfied. Meanwhile, the government was being accused of commission in the Bofors cannon deal. In such a period, elections were announced in Haryana. Devilal’s magic was at its peak. Left parties had also become part of the movement. After the death of Charan Singh, the entire Chaudhary of Haryana was in the name of Devi Lal.
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was performing his duties as the working president of the party, but Devi Lal was in the decisive role. When the distribution of tickets started, all the parties started demanding their share. Devi Lal was busy distributing tickets without caring about any party or leader. Meanwhile, BJP got a big blow when its seats were reduced from 24 last time to 18. The entire leadership of BJP was surprised. All efforts made by the local leadership were unsuccessful.
The matter was made due to the intervention of Rajmata Scindia
The production of a documentary on Devi Lal was going on at Scindia Bhawan, New Delhi. Devilal looked at Rajmata Scindia with great respect. BJP leadership succeeded in turning the tables by sending Rajmata Scindia to Haryana Bhawan. After his departure, Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrived and two candidates including Ram Vilas Sharma were agreed upon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the workers in the party office remembering these difficult days of BJP. The alliance then managed to win 85 seats in the House of 90. Impressed by these results, V.P. Singh along with his colleagues decided to leave the Congress and Rajiv Gandhi was defeated in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections.
(The author is a senior JDU leader and former MP)
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we dive deep into the political landscape. Today, we have with us Dr. Rajesh Sharma, a noted political analyst and historian, to discuss the significant insights brought forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Haryana Assembly elections. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Sharma.
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: In his address at the BJP headquarters, PM Modi reminisced about the party’s journey from its early days. He mentioned the Jan Sangh and the struggles they faced. How do you interpret that reflection in light of Haryana’s complex political history?
Dr. Sharma: Modi’s reflection is quite profound. It serves as a reminder of resilience in politics. Historically, the BJP, which originated from the Janata Party, faced numerous challenges, especially in states like Haryana. The mention of the past invokes the layered history of alliances and conflicts, perhaps illustrating how far the party has come despite significant adversities.
Editor: Speaking of adversities, you noted Haryanvi leader Devi Lal’s dynamic role in the late 70s and early 80s. Could you elaborate on why his leadership was pivotal during that era?
Dr. Sharma: Devi Lal was a towering figure and a charismatic leader in Haryana. He managed to unite a diverse coalition, enabling Lok Dal to emerge as a formidable force against the Congress. His rapport with leaders of the Jan Sangh and later the BJP led to a temporary alliance that challenged Congress’s dominance. However, as you pointed out earlier, the political landscape was fraught with complexities, especially around the time of the 1982 elections where factionalism became apparent within Lok Dal.
Editor: Absolutely, and this factionalism seemed to impact the electoral outcomes significantly. You mentioned that while the Lok Dal won a substantial number of seats, the BJP struggled. What factors contributed to this?
Dr. Sharma: Several factors were at play. Firstly, Devi Lal’s popularity outshone other leaders during that time. The Lok Dal capitalized on local issues and garnered grassroots support, which resonated with the voters. The BJP’s internal issues and its unfocused strategy at that time contributed to its dismal performance. Despite their alliance, the BJP was still viewed as a lesser entity in Haryana.
Editor: Interesting insights, Doctor. Modifications in party alliances can often redefine political power dynamics. Can you speak about how the Congress party’s manipulation of the anti-defection law during this period played a role in altering the landscape?
Dr. Sharma: That’s a crucial aspect. The anti-defection law was misused to sideline opposition parties and destabilize their coalition. Bhajan Lal’s ascension to chief minister after a controversial claim on forming the government exemplifies this unethical maneuvering. Despite Devi Lal’s attempt to unify his group and provide a stable alternative, the Congress’s political machinations fostered an environment of instability that the opposition struggled to counteract effectively.
Editor: You’ve also pointed out the historical significance of Devi Lal’s leadership post-Indira Gandhi’s assassination. How did the political scene evolve after that?
Dr. Sharma: Following the tumultuous events surrounding Indira Gandhi’s assassination, the Congress led by Rajiv Gandhi initially gained unprecedented popularity. However, as you highlighted, Haryana became a boiling pot of unrest, leading to the formation of the Haryana Sangharsh Samiti. Devi Lal tapped into local grievances effectively, emphasizing issues related to water resources and agricultural policies, which galvanized public support against the Congress.
Editor: Given this background, how do you see the relevance of these historical events in today’s political climate, especially in Haryana?
Dr. Sharma: Today’s political landscape in Haryana is reminiscent of that era in many respects. Issues of regional identity, water rights, and agricultural policies continue to dominate. Moreover, the history of alliances and the fragile coalition building that characterized the earlier political scene are echoed in present-day politics. Understanding these historical contexts provides crucial insights into voters’ sentiments and party strategies today.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Sharma. Your analysis has provided us with a deeper understanding of the historical and political significance within Haryana’s landscape. As we watch future developments, it will be essential to reflect on and learn from these pivotal moments in history.
Dr. Sharma: It’s been my pleasure. History is indeed a great teacher, and it continues to shape our political trajectories today.
Editor: Thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We hope this discussion sheds light on the intricate political dynamics of Haryana and beyond. Stay informed with Time.news.