The Shahbad Assembly Constituency, located in the Kurukshetra district of Haryana, is a Scheduled Caste (SC) dedicated seat with an effective farming base and an extensive Scheduled Caste population. The region faces challenges connected to infrastructure, water supply, and farming. As part of the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, political competition mainly interests the BJP, INC, and INLD, with local problems recreating a major role in shaping voter manners.
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Constituency Overview
| Constituency | Shahbad Assembly Constituency |
| Nature of Seats | Reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) |
| District | Kurukshetra |
| Total Voters (2024) | 1,62,082 registered voters |
| Number of Booths | 198 polling booths |
| Dominant Community | SC, OBC, and Agrarian Communities |
| Key Issues | Agrarian Welfare, Water Supply, Infrastructure, Employment, Education |
2024 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INC | Ram Karan | 61,050 | 50.37% | |
| BJP | Subhash Kalsana | 54,609 | 45.05% | |
| BSP | Chander Bhan Charuni | 1,638 | 1.35% | |
| AAP | Asha Rani | 932 | 0.77% | |
| NOTA | None of the Above | 438 | 0.36% | |
| JJP | Rajeeta Singh | 431 | 0.36% |
Winner: Ram Karan (INC) defeated Subhash Kalsana (BJP) by a margin of 6,441 votes.
2019 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % of Votes | Swing |
| JJP | Ram Karan | 69,233 | 55.35% | N/A |
| BJP | Krishan Kumar | 32,106 | 25.67% | −11.51% |
| INC | Anil Kumar Dhantori | 18,844 | 15.07% | −8.10% |
| INLD | Sandeep Kumar | 1,596 | 1.28% | −35.45% |
| BSP | Shakuntla Bhatti | 1,398 | 1.12% | +0.06% |
| LSP | Kulbir Singh | 1,050 | 0.84% | N/A |
| NOTA | Nota | 857 | 0.69% | +0.10% |
Winner: Ram Karan (JJP) defeated Krishan Kumar (BJP) by a margin of 37,127 votes with a voter turnout of 1,25,084 (77.17%).
2014 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % of Votes | Swing |
| BJP | Krishan Kumar | 45,715 | 37.18% | +25.77% |
| INLD | Ram Karan | 45,153 | 36.72% | +7.52% |
| INC | Anil Kumar Dhantori | 28,482 | 23.17% | −10.07% |
| BSP | Dr. Baldev Singh | 1,303 | 1.06% | −5.82% |
| HJC(BL) | Memo Devi Ranga | 862 | 0.70% | −0.39% |
| NOTA | None of the Above | 717 | 0.58% |
Winner: Krishan Kumar (BJP) defeated Ram Karan (INLD) by a margin of 562 votes with a voter turnout of 1,22,952 (83.04%).
2009 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % of Votes | Swing |
| INC | Anil Kumar Dhantori | 30,843 | 33.24% | −6.33% |
| INLD | Jitender Kumar | 27,102 | 29.21% | −8.29% |
| Independent | Ram Karan | 14,352 | 15.47% | N/A |
| BJP | Krishan Kumar | 10,593 | 11.42% | +3.52% |
| BSP | Dr. Baldev Singh | 6,387 | 6.88% | +0.90% |
| HJC(BL) | Suraj Bhan | 1,012 | 1.09% | N/A |
| CPI | Sarup Chand | 934 | 1.01% | −1.44% |
| Independent | Karam Singh | 867 | 0.93% |
Winner: Anil Kumar Dhantori (INC) defeated Jitender Kumar (INLD) by a margin of 3,741 votes with a voter turnout of 92,796 (74.31%).
Shahbad Assembly Constituency SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- SC Voter Base: Shahbad, being an SC-reserved constituency, has a significant SC population, which makes it politically significant for social welfare and development-focused policies.
- Agrarian Focus: The constituency’s rural character makes agriculture a major focus, with issues like crop pricing, irrigation, and farmer welfare being top priorities for voters.
Weaknesses
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Despite its rural nature, Shahbad faces significant challenges in terms of infrastructure, particularly in healthcare, education, and water supply, which causes dissatisfaction among the electorate.
- High Unemployment: Due to the lack of local industries and employment opportunities, Shahbad struggles with high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth.
Opportunities
- Rural Development Focus: Candidates who focus on improving infrastructure, healthcare, and educational facilities can win significant support from the rural electorate.
- Youth Engagement: Addressing unemployment through skill development programs and job creation could help attract younger voters.
Threats
- Caste-Based Voting Fragmentation: With a diverse caste-based electorate, the possibility of vote fragmentation along caste lines could weaken the influence of larger political parties.
- Agrarian Distress: Ongoing issues related to water supply, crop failure, and agrarian distress could lead to voter dissatisfaction, impacting the incumbent’s re-election chances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the current MLA of Shahbad?
Ram Karan from the INC is the incumbent MLA, elected in 2024.
How many voters are there in the Shahbad constituency?
There are 1,62,082 registered voters for the 2024 elections.
Which political parties are contesting in Shahbad in 2024?
Major parties like BJP, INC, BSP, and NOTA are contesting.
What was the voter turnout in the last election (2019)?
The voter turnout in 2024 was 77.17%, with 1,25,084 voters casting their ballots.
What is the political significance of Shahbad?
Shahbad is significant due to its SC-reserved status and agrarian base, making it crucial for parties focusing on rural development, social welfare, and agrarian policies.
Gallery
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