Why this Haryana village challenged candidates to drink foul-smelling water
As the Haryana elections approach, voters in a village have posed a challenge to political candidates seeking their votes. The challenge requires candidates to drink dirty, foul-smelling water that villagers claim they have been forced to purchase for years. This challenge originated in Samaspur village, part of the Charkhi Dadri constituency. Residents assert that they have been compelled to buy water that they consider unfit for even animals for over a decade, highlighting their ongoing struggle for clean drinking water.
Haryana assembly polls on October 5
The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with vote counting on October 8. The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the polling date from October 1 to October 5, and the counting day for both Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana elections was changed from October 4 to October 8. This adjustment was made to respect the voting rights and cultural traditions of the Bishnoi community, which observes the Asoj Amavasya festival in memory of Guru Jambheshwar.
Watch: Voters in Samaspur set challenge for candidates
BJP candidates face public anger in Haryana
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates are facing significant challenges in their election campaigns due to these civic issues. In Ratia and Hisar assembly constituencies, public anger was palpable on Monday and Tuesday. Sunita Duggal, a former MP and BJP candidate from Ratia, faced protests from farm activists during her campaign on Tuesday. She was confronted by members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kheti Bachao) who forced her to acknowledge the legitimacy of farmers protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders.
BJP candidate targeted during public meeting
In Hisar, another BJP candidate, Dr. Kamal Gupta, was targeted during a public meeting in Badwali Dhani village on Monday night. An unidentified person threw a slipper at him while he was addressing the crowd. Despite this incident, Gupta continued with his speech.
AAP candidate switches to Congress ahead of elections
In a significant political development, the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Nilokheri (reserve) seat candidate, Amar Singh, switched allegiance to the Congress. After joining the Congress, Singh stated that only this party could defeat the incumbent BJP government which he accused of being "unjust to farmers, women, Dalits and minorities." Both BJP and Congress are intensifying their campaigns with top leaders like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Priyanka Gandhi actively participating.
