AMBALA, HARYANA — As the countdown to the high-stakes municipal corporation elections in Haryana nears its end, the political atmosphere has reached a fever pitch. On Wednesday, Haryana Minister and senior BJP leader Mahipal Dhanda delivered a scathing critique of the opposition, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised for a “one-sided mandate” across the state, while the Congress party has become “hardly visible” on the ground.
Addressing reporters during a vibrant campaign trail in Ambala, Dhanda’s remarks underscore the ruling party’s confidence ahead of the May 10 polling. The Minister’s observations highlight a perceived shift in the state’s political landscape, where development-centric governance appears to be overshadowing traditional opposition tactics.
“Where is the Opposition?” asks Dhanda
Minister Mahipal Dhanda did not mince words when discussing the state of the Congress party in Haryana. He noted that the lack of visibility isn’t just about leadership, but extends to the very symbols of the party’s presence in the public sphere.
According to the Minister, this “absence” is a direct result of the public’s growing trust in the BJP’s “double-engine” government model. He argued that voters are increasingly prioritizing tangible outcomes—such as infrastructure and transparent recruitment—over political rhetoric, leaving the opposition struggling to find a relevant narrative.
A Campaign Built on Results
Dhanda’s confidence is rooted in the BJP’s aggressive campaign strategy, which focuses on the achievements of both the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state administration. The Minister highlighted several key pillars of the BJP’s pitch to the urban electorate:
- Transparency in Governance: The “Parchi-Kharchi” (favoritism and bribery) system in government jobs has been replaced by merit-based selection, a point Dhanda emphasized as a major win for the state’s youth.
- Infrastructure Momentum: From the expansion of the National Highway network to the modernization of civic amenities in Ambala and Panchkula, the Minister pointed to physical development as the party’s strongest “voter appeal.”
- Welfare Reach: The seamless delivery of state and central welfare schemes through digital platforms has, according to Dhanda, eliminated middlemen and secured a loyal voter base among the marginalized sections.
Focus on Youth: The ‘Sankalp’ Authority
Beyond election rhetoric, Dhanda also spoke about the government’s long-term vision for Haryana’s social fabric. He reiterated the state’s commitment to making Haryana “drug-free.” The Minister recently announced the formation of the ‘Sankalp’ Authority, a specialized body designed to crack down on drug smugglers and provide robust rehabilitation for the youth.
“It is the top priority and resolution of the government to ensure our youth are protected from the trap of addiction. We are working on a three-pronged strategy: strict legal action, social awareness, and medical treatment,” he added.
The Road to May 13
With the State Election Commission having set May 10 for voting and May 13 for the declaration of results, the stakes for the municipal corporations of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat could not be higher. For the BJP, these elections are a chance to reaffirm their dominance before the next legislative cycle. For the Congress, the challenge remains to prove Dhanda’s “invisibility” claim wrong by mobilizing their grassroots base in the final 48 hours.
As the campaign banners of the BJP dominate the skyline of Ambala, the silence of the opposition—whether strategic or symptomatic—remains the most discussed topic among local political analysts. The residents of Haryana will now have the final say this Sunday.
