Bhupinder Hooda: Next CM of Haryana?

Bhupinder Singh Hooda is a very typical old-style politician in every way. Even when rejected by the people and kept out of power for a decade, every winter the power circles of Delhi would land up at his home in Delhi, feasting on local Haryana food. Whether netas, journalists, businesspeople or casual social butterflies, the gathering was always buzzing. His affable nature and approachability have kept him in the good books even of the ruling dispensation.

In a state where families have held power without much political fallout, the Hoodas -- father, son and now grandson -- are the ones in current circulation. The crucial Jat vote that had deserted the Congress in the last few years has returned to its fold with only one name on its lips: Hooda. Despite a very volatile relationship with detractors within the party, Hooda has held his own. 

In the recent Lok Sabha polls too, local party leaders strongly opposed his choice of candidates. But the Congress ended up winning half the seats in the states, up from none at all. Even for the assembly polls, he put his foot down and said a firm no to the proposed alliance with the Aam Admi Party, despite it being a part of the INDIA bloc. The fact that he was part of the dissenting Group of 23 (G-23) in the Congress in 2023 and yet was given a free run in 2024 shows not only his political skill but also the trust that the party's high command has in him.

Why Hooda is head-and-shoulder above competition

Hooda rose as the most prominent Jat face for the Congress in a state that was not only dominated by Jat politics but also heavyweight leaders from the community like Devi Lal, Bansi Lal and Bhajan Lal -- all leaders to be reckoned with, within and outside the Congress. Hooda is credited with ending the 'reign of the Lals', having succcessfully sidelined the last Lal, Bhajan, and taking over the party in the state. He became CM in 2009 despite being short of seats, again working his skill and affability to put the government together. 

Hooda also benefits from belonging to a family that has had roots in the Rohtak region, now a family bastion. At least two generations before him have been in prominent positions in the Jat 'samaj' in the area. Members of his family were at the forefront of reformist practices as well as carving out a formal identity for Jats, which in turn led them to prosperity and gave them political heft. 

With close to 27% Jats in Haryana and Hooda as the tallest leader among them, it is will be tough for the Congress to challenge his claim to the CM's chair, despite a demand being made for Dalit leader Kumari Selja. All allegations of him running a 'baap-beta party' and publicly declaring himself the CM candidate in 2019 "with or without the Congress", Bhupinder Singh Hooda has the hookah of Haryana firmly in his hands. It will take a rash or brave decision to douse that today.