Kurukshetra Analysis

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CONSTITUENCY MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Parliamentary Constituency: Kurukshetra, Haryana

Introduction
The MIT School of Government conducted an in depth study of the Kurukshetra Parliamentary Constituency (KPC),
Haryana in a 6 day study tour from 23rd March 2008 to 28th March 2008. The entire constituency consists of three
districts namely that of Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Yamuna Nagar, which is again divided into 9 Assembly
Constituencies namely Thanesar, Guhla, Pundri, Yamuna Nagar, Radaur, Pai, Kaithal, Pehowa and Shahabad.
The main focus of the study tour was to understand the current scenario of the constituency in terms of the
problems people were facing and what they were most dissatisfied about, to formulate measures that could be
undertaken to relieve some of their problems and also to study the impression the current Member of Parliament
Mr. Naveen Jindal had made with his work, amongst the people.
The students were divided into five groups and each group analysed a separate area of the entire constituency. The
general method of study involved conducting surveys in villages that were selected on the basis of the percentage of
support that Mr. Naveen Jindal had received from that village in the last election. They selected some villages where
he had received very little support, some villages where he had a lot of support and they also chose villages where
it seemed that other parties were eating into Mr. Naveen Jindals vote bank. Under the guidance of Mr Jindals paty
workers the students visited all the villages on our list and their presence ensured that we got a warm welcome
wherever they went. They were provided with material containing the necessary statistical data, which they needed
to interpret the information from the survey.
At the end of the study tour, every group presented their findings and proposed their recommendations.
Objective of the study
The overall objective of the study tour was:
To study the political scenario of Kurukshetra
To get a feel of the current public opinion for or against Mr Mr. Naveen Jindal, the sitting Member of
Parliament, Kurukshetra
To study the effectiveness and efficiency of Constituency management scheme of Mr. Naveen Jindal
To study the socio-economic conditions and political awareness in the given area
To trigger the fire of serving the society through this study.
To learn the art of creative management of a constituency
KPC in brief
Kurukshetra bears a religious and historical importance. In epics of Mahabharata, Kurukshetra is supposed to be the
battlefield for the famous war between Kauravas and Pandavas, which lasted for years together. This is the place
where it is considered that Lord Krishna narrated Gita to Arjuna.
As mentioned earlier, the entire constituency consists of three districts namely that of Kaithal, Kurukshetra and
Yamuna Nagar. As a result of delimitation several changes have taken place in these districts and certain villages
that were in support of Mr. Naveen Jindal have moved into other constituencies.
The entire constituency is fed by several rivers and has fertile alluvial soil. The most popular crops grown here are
wheat and sugarcane. Haryana is one of the states in India that has quite a high literacy ratio. In Kurukshetra
district itself the average literacy rate is 69.88% with 78% of the men and 60% of the women being educated.
Unfortunately despite this literacy, Haryana is also one of the Indian states with the poorest sex ratio. In
Kurukshetra district the sex ratio is 866:1000.

National Tour | International Tour
Kurukshetra is primarily agrarian. An overwhelming percentage of the population works as farm labour. In most of
the villages we visited we observed that a large part of the population of the village did not have land of their own
but they worked as labourers.
On the whole most of the people in KPC live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their survival. Any development
work in this constituency should focus on giving people alternate forms of employment and should also focus on
giving relief to them in terms of providing for their basic needs of water, electricity and sanitation. Apart from this,
most of the villages also need a primary health care centre and proper schools.
Demography Of Kurukshetra Constituency
Total no. of voters 11.5 lakh
Scheduled caste voters Approx. 30%
Sex Ratio 866:1000
Literacy Rate 69.88% , M-78%, F-60%
Most population lives in rural areas.
3. Methodology
In general the following methodology was followed by the groups.
Survey through random sampling technique
Interview of Panchayat leaders
Meeting with community leaders
Interview and meeting with local journalists
Interaction with party workers of all the major parties
Informal interaction with government officials in Kaithal districts
To be specific, the following research methodology was followed.
Part I
Step 1 Research Problem
Knowing the nerves of the voters
The target of the research to be conducted in the constituency was to know the nerves of the voters, major issues
concerning them, their likings, disliking, demands, their way of thinking and their political leanings.
Step 2 Research Design
To be familiar with the voters and retrieve the needed information
Since the survey to be conducted was in a not so familiar area like Kurukshetra (Haryana), it was necessary to be
familiar with the voters and win their confidence in order to avoid misleading information. Hence the students were
instructed to make their political neutrality very clear to the people. It was essential to emphasise that the purpose
behind the whole exercise was to study the problems of the targeted mass and it was not being done with any
political motive. This was partly achieved by showing identity card of MIT-SOG.
Step 3 Method of data collection
A questionnaire was prepared by some groups in order to facilitate the interaction with the village people. This
helped in asking focused and pointed questions.
Step 4 Sample Selection
Due to time constraint, random sample survey was selected. Mainly two types of villages were selected one,
where Mr. Jindal receive least no. of votes during the last Loksabha elections and second, where he received highest
no. of votes.
Part II
Step 1 Collecting Data
Issues of data collection
Data was to be collected personally by the groups on the field by surveying and interviewing various segments of
the society.
Step 2 Analysing Data
The collected data was to be analysed to find out what are the issues in the areas where Mr. Jindal received least
amount of votes in the last general elections and how they can be tackled so that he receives more in the coming
elections. The areas, which extended maximum support to Mr. Jindal were to be analysed to see the current mood
of the public and the issues concerning them.
Step 3 Research Report
The research report would include the analysis and interpretation, as well as recommendations and conclusions
about the constituency as a whole.
4. Findings and Analysis
Group 1. Guhala and Pundri
One group made a comprehensive study of the Assembly Constituencies of Guhala and Pundri. They came up with
following analysis and findings.
Kaithal District
Kaithal was earlier a part of district Karnal and in 1973 became part of the newly created district of Kurukshetra.
Kaithal became a new district of Haryana on 1st November 1989. The district headquarter is situated in Kaithal
town. Other smaller towns are Guhla, Pundri and Cheeka. The total area of Kaithal district is 2,389 sq km.
This Report would be more focused on Kaithal District and more so on Guhla and Pundri Assembly Segments.
A) General Information
Area
2389.82 sq. km
Latitude 29 48' 0 N
Longitude 76 22' 60 E
No.of Sub-Division 2
No. ofTehsil 2
No.of Sub-Tehsil 5
No. of Blocks 5
No.of Villages 276
Assembly seats 5
Average rainfall 500-600 mm
PostalCode 136118
STDCode 01746
B) Population Total Population
Male Female Persons
Kaithal Rural 4,11,628 3,51,021 7.62.649
Kaithal Urban 98,885 84,597 1,83,482
Kaithal District
(Total)
5,10,513 4,35,618 9,46,131
Urban/Rural Population
Urban Population
19.39%
Rural Population 80.61%
Proportion of S.C. Population to total population
Male Female Person Percentage
Kaithal Rural 93,745 79,468 1,73,213 22.71%
Kaithal Urban 16,627 14,035 30,662 16,71%
Kaithal District 1,10,372 93,503 2,03,875 21.55%
Largest Three Scheduled Castes
Name
Number
Chamar etc 92,454
Balmiki etc 68,083
Bazigar 16,769

Religion-wise Population
Religion
Male Female Total % of
Total
Hindu 4,58,966 3,89,799 8,48,765 89.70%
Sikh 46,865 41,835 88,700 9.37%
Muslim 3,678 3,099 6,777 0.71%
Christian 586 534 1,120 0.11%
Jain 203 191 394 0.04%
Buddhist 89 63 152 0.016%
Others 29 16 45 0.004%
46.04%
270
Not Stated 97 81 178 0.018%
Total 5,10,513 4,35,618 9,46,131 100%
* No Scheduled Tribes Population in this area.

Percentage of Female population:
Sex Ratio: (per 1000 males)
Kaithal Rural 853
Kaithal Urban 856
Kaithal District 853
Density of Population (persons/sq.km)
Kaithal Rural
342
Kaithal Urban 2162
Kaithal District 408
Average Age of Population
Under 25yrs Above 60yrs 15-60yrs
Kaithal Rural 56.01% 8.41% 55.32%
Kaithal Urban 54.30% 6.95% 58.87%
Kaithal District 55.68% 8.13% 56.01%
C) Amenities and infrastructural facilities

Total inhabited villages
Drinking water facilities 270
Safe Drinking
water
270
Electricity (Power
Supply)
270
Electricity (domestic) 38
Electricity (Agriculture) 37
Primary school 261
Middle schools 147
Secondary/Sr. Secondary Schools 185
College 2
Medical facility 160
Primary Health Centre 19
Primary Health Sub-Centre 118
Post, telegraph and telephone facility 228
Bus services 228
Paved approach road 270
Mud approach road 189
D) Education and Employment
Without education 6,201
Below Primary 1,26,436
Primary 1,43,353
Middle 76,312
Matric/Higher Secondry/Diploma 1,00,857
Graduate and Above 19,385
Total Literates 4,72,563
Literates and Literacy Rates Literates Literacy Rates
Person Male Female Person Male Female
Kaithal
Rural
3,59,050 2,30,036 1,29,024 55.78% 66.60% 43.25%
Kaithal
Urban
1,13,513 66,831 46,682 72.33% 79.67% 63.90%
Kaithal
District
4,72,563 2,96,857 1,75,706 59.02% 69.15% 47.31%

Kaithal Urban
15.77%
Kaithal Rural 22.75%
Kaithal District 21.84%
*Male Female Literacy Gap is in favour of males.
Employment
Main Workers
2,68,127
Marginal Workers 1,03,884
Total Workers 3,72,011
Non-Workers 5,74,120
E) Agriculture
Geographical Area 2,28,333 hectares
No of villages 276
No of blocks 6
Cultivable area 1,98,995 hectares
Net Cultivable area 1,98,760 hectares
Non Agri 29,338 hectares
Forests 2,512 hectares
Gross cultivated Area 3,77,371 hectares
(kharif+rabi)
Area sown more than once 1,78,611 hectares
Cropping intensity 189%
Net irrigated area 1)By canals 80,091hectares (40.24%)
2)Tubewell 1,13,627hectares(57.10%)
Total Irrigated area 1,93,718 hectares (97.34%)
Gross Irrigated area 3,75,362 hectares
Crop-wise distribution of cultivable area
Wheat Gram Barley Pulses oilseeds Paddy Bajra Cotton
desi
Cotton
(A)
S.cane
Pundri 36529 39 3 27 150 35990 80 - - 998
Guhla 39879 51 6 40 112 39247 160 1 - 156
Kaithal
Dist
171678 233 43 179 752 119923 13944 1007 1388 3384
Animal Wealth and Poultry
Animal
Kaithal Gulha Total
Buffalo 742 179 921
Horse & Mule 21 4 25
Sheep 198 28 226
Goat 45 10 55
Poultry 1999 298 2297
F) Electricity Kaithal District
Avg/day supply
21,32,000 units
Avg/day requirement 30,00,000 units
Avg. Shortfall 9,00,000 units
Avg losses 20-25%
Max Paddy season requirement 32,00,000 units
Present Scenario
Kaithal Rural Power cuts
14hr
Kaithal Urban Power cuts 51/2hr
G) Health
Allopathic Hospitals in Kaithal
Hospital PHC Disp CHC Sub
Centres
Total Hosp PHC Disp CHC Total
Kaithal - 16 1 2 112 131 1 1 1 1 4
Gulha - 4 - 1 32 37 - 1 1 - 1
Total - 20 1 3 144 168 1 2 2 1 5
H) Law and Order
Police
station
Police
chowky
Murder Rob
bery
Theft Animal
Theft
loot kidnap riot Culpable
homicide
Forgery
coins
others Total
Kaithal 6 8 18 84 3 - - 9 12 - - - 648 903
Gulha 3 5 6 43 1 - - - 2 - 1 1 438 651
Total 9 13 24 127 4 272 - 18 14 - 1 1 1086 1554
Regstd. Crimes in Police stations in Kaithal
I) Politically relevant Data and Office Functioning (within Kaithal)
Numerically important Communities
Jat Abt 40%
Punjabi Abt 20%
Gujjar Abt 15%
SC/BC/Road Abt 15%
Bania Abt 10%
TOTAL 100%
Politically important Communities
Jat, Sikh, Road Caste, Sharma(Brahmin) these are the politically significant castes But the other castes are also
important and active.
Caste and Occupation linkages
Jat
Agriculture
Jat Sikh Agriculture
Khatri Business
Bania Business
Road/Brahmin Business
Caste and Political Party links
Jat
Mostly INLD
Harijan Congress (BSP?)
Valmiki Congress
Agarwal(Bania) Non Political (Congress leaning)
Road Support Road candidates from any party
Organizations of Marginalized groups
Bharatiya Kisan
Union
Farmers Leaning towards Congress (against
BSP)
Lal Jhanda Majdoor
Union
Brick
workers
Towards CPM
Small groups of
Harijans
Harijans Split between Congress and BSP

Politically Salient Religious Organization
Dhera Sacha Sauda- Sikh- Headed by Kharati Lal
*There are no politically important, non-religious, non-caste organizations in Kaithal District
Main Factions in Party
1) Congress Party- Hooda Group, Virendra Singh group, Shamsher Singh Surjewala group, Kiran Chaudhary group
(State level groups)
2) INLD- ONE FAMILY SHOW. Factions not tolerated.
Party Identification
INLD
Jat Party
Congress Bania/SC/ST
BSP Emerging as a harijan party
Ekta Shakti Party Road Caste Party
BJP Brahmin party
*Kaithal District cannot be identified as base of any party. Pundri to an extent may be considered as
Congress stronghold.
Newspapers/cable channel; editors; their leanings
Name of paper
Owner/Editor Leaning Language
Punjab Kesri Vijay Chopra Neutral Hindi
Dainik Bhaskar Ramesh Chandra
Agarwal
neutral Hindi
Dainik Jagaran Mahendra Mohan
Gupta
Neutral Hindi
Dainik Tribune H.K.Dua Neutral Hindi
Haribhoomi Capt.Abhimanyu BJP Hindi
Amar Ujala Shashi Shekhar BJP-RSS Hindi
Balaji cable Paras Mittal
Brij Gupta
Congress
INLD
Hindi
District level Voluntary organizations and their work
Name
Area of work
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sewa
Dal
Religious Work
Barfani Sewa Mandal Religious Work
Sewa Sangh Leprosy patients
Sarv Dharm Prachar
Committee
Religious Unity; Environment; AIDS
awareness
Prayas Yuva Manch Poor children; education; sports; drug
addiction.
Educational Institutes; ownership; leanings
Name
Controlled by Leaning
RKSD college Owner: Subhash Mittal
Founder: Lala Makhan Lal
Congress
(Mr. Mr. Naveen
Jindal)
Indira Gandhi Kanya
Mahavidyalaya (PG college)
President: Jagdish Bahadur
Khuraniya
Congress
Om Prabha Jain Model School President: Jagdish Bahadur
Khuraniya
Congress
Jat College Jat TrustPresdient: Balwant Kotda INLD
Chaudhary Ishwar Singh
Kanya Mahavidyalaya
Founder: Lt.Ishwar Singh
President: Dr.Vidya (Pundri) &
Tejveer Singh (Dand)
Congress
Swami Parmanand Senior
Secondry School
(pundri&mundri)
President: Dr.Vidya (Pundri) &
Tejveer Singh (Dand)
Congress
B.P.R Senior Secondry School
(pundri)B.P.R Senior
Secondry School and College
of education (dand)
Dinesh Kaushik (Independent MLA)
DAV education group Trust Neutral
J) An In-Depth Look At Mr. Jindals Constituency Management Offices
STRUCTURE
Objectives
To establish direct link with voters.
To establish a system to spend MPLAD and personal funds for development and social works.
To supervise the welfare schemes.
To build image/ personal rapport for Mr. Jindal
Functions
1) Office In-Charge
a) To develop personal relationship with bureaucracy/administrators.
b) To conduct Durbars
c) Day to Day administration
d) To make recommendation letters
e) Media Management
f) To report to Central Office
2) C.E.O
a) Head O. P. Jindal Grameen Jan Kalyan Sansthan
b) Conduct Eye camps
c) Organise mobile medical vans
d) Distribute sports kits
e) Make gym facilities
f) Give scholarships to students
g) Give Kanyadaan/Shagun
h) Distribute sewing machines
i) Toilet scheme
j) Widow pension scheme
k) Handicap pension scheme
l) Jute training camps
m) Blood donation camps
3) Halka In-Charge
a) Conducting durbars
b) Field work/welfare schemes
c) Visit offices
d) Attending functions
e) Report to office in-charge
f) Direct access to M.P
Success Rate
Highly Successful in image building
Some of the welfare schemes are well managed successfully
Low success rates in personal work of people
In the absence of MP, people can approach his personal staff
Poor coordination in Government welfare schemes
He has spent around Rs 2.16 Cr from MPLAD in Pundri & Guhla.
On Avg, Rs 30-35 lacs per month are spent from personal funds.
Observations
Positive Points
Corporate style of functioning resulting in high efficiency for schemes.
Approachable through staff.
Good image. Perceived as visionary and honest.
Good schemes initiated that will give electoral benefits to Mr. Jindal.
Negative Points
Little co-ordination between Congress party office and Mr. Jindals office.
Party workers are not attached to Mr. Jindals office.
Dissatisfaction amongst some workers with Mr. Jindals office due to lukewarm response from government
administration. This is due to displaced loyalties of officials with Hooda /Bhajan Lal/Chautala camp.
Caste equations are working subtly against Mr. Jindal and his group because of insecurity from leaders of
other majority castes across party lines.
Poor relationship with local MLAs
K) Public Perception
A survey was carried out in the villages across Guhla and Pundri, especially in all those polling booths where Mr.
Naveen Jindal secured less than 30% of votes polled in 2004. (Jhamba, Mohana, Dussain, Achapor, Pabla, Kamodha,
Fatehpur, Barna). This was done to gauge the mood of the people with regard to Mr. Jindal, the development works
done and the local representatives. Here are the results: -
For Guhla
Good Poor
Development Works since
2004
31% 69%
Administrative Services 49% 51%
Local MLA 21% 79%
MP 80% 20%
Current Issues Unemployment 55% Electricity
45%
For Pundri
Good Poor
Good Poor
Development Works since
2004
53% 47%
Administrative Services 89% 11%
Local MLA 80% 20%
MP 95% 05%
Current Issues Unemployment 51% Electicity
49%
j) Kurukshetra after Delimitation
Before After
Guhla (SC)
Guhla (SC)
Pundhri
Pundhri
Pai
Ladwa
Kaithal
Kaithal
Pehowa
Pehowa
Thanesar
Thanesar
Shahabad
Shahabad (SC)
Radaur (SC)
Radaur
Yamunanagar
Kalayat
Changes made include
Pai Assembly seat deleted
Ladwa Assembly seat created
Yamunanagar Assembly seat shifted to Ambala Parliamentary Constituency
Kalayat Assembly seat shifted to Kurukshetra Parliamentary Constituency from Hissar
Radaur no longer reserved
Shahabad is now reserved for SC
Net Effect of Delimitation
Total voters will rise especially Jats and Brahmins
Constituency will become more rural due to addition of Kalayat rural constituency
Thus the constituency will see a rise in Jat votes and reduction in Punjabi votes (Yamunanagar being attached
to Ambala)
Mr. Jindal will lose his stronghold Yamunanagar and Kalayat, a stronghold of INLD will be attached so Mr.
Jindal will have to work harder for forthcoming elections.
Total no. of Assembly seats and Reserved seats remain the same i.e. 9 and 2
Now Kurukshetra extends to only 2 districts and not 3 i.e. full Kurukshetra district and full Kaithal
district
Group 2 Thanesar and Shahabad
Second group made a comprehensive study of the assembly Constituencies of Thanesar and Shahabad, using the
survey method. The group drafted a questionnaire, in order to create a familiar and curious atmosphere among the
voters. Eventually they visited their homes, ate with them and had a cup of tea or chaas. They also visited various
institutions like Police Stations, Primary schools, Aangan wadi, Primary Health centers, Tehsil offices etc. They
interviewed various segments of people, which included Voters, Men & Women (but women specially), Youths,
Sarpanchs, Senior Citizens, Farmers, Landless Labourers, Bureaucrats and politicians. Following questions were
posed to them.

Urban Rural M F
Below 4000/- 4001/- to 10,000 Above 10000/-
18 to 35 36 to 35 51 to Above
Hindu Muslim Others
Opem OBC SC ST
Survey
Questionnaire
Part I
1. Which political party can give you good governance?
Congress BJP Other
L.K Advani Rahul Gandhi Mayawati

2. Who you want to see the next Prime Minister?

Y N

3. Are you satisfied with the work of present MP?
4. Who should be the forthcoming MP?
Mr Naveen Jindal Abhav Chautala Gurudaval
5. In your opinion which will be the main issue in these election?
6. Expected Work:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Part II
1. Gender: 2 2. Locality:
Service Business Farming Student House Wife

3. Profession:

Illiterate Till Matric Graduate Post Graduate
4. Education:
5. Income:
6. Age Group:
7. Religion:

8. Caste:
Survey Findings
1. Which political party can give you good governance?
Congress BJP Others
31.6 % 52.4 % 16%
2. Who you want to see the next Prime Minister?
L.K. Advani Rahul Gandhi Mayawati
61 % 24 % 15 %
1. Are you satisfied with the work of present MP?
Yes No
77.4 % 22.6 %
2. Who should be the forthcoming MP?
Mr. Naveen
Jindal
Abhay Chautala Gurdayal Saini Others
71% 24% 4 % 1%
B) Main issues in the forth-coming election
1. Electricity
Prominently being an agrarian economy, majority of the population depends on agricultural activities. Recent
findings have shown that due to extensive power cuts, the farm yield has been reduced and therefore the marginal
farmers are unable to pay their debt back resulting into selling of the farmland and migrating to some other areas.
2. Inflation
The landless labourer class incisively depends upon the daily wages they receive. The wages range
approximately from Rs. 120 to Rs. 200 per day. However, the rising price of the consumer products is making their
survival difficult.
3. Unemployment
Especially the youth class, majority of which is undergraduate is frustrated due to unemployment.
Many of them think of leaving the country and settling abroad. The elderly people from their families are engaged in
farming activities, but the youth want some alternative source of employment.
4. Farm Loan Waiver
Farm loan waiver decision by the U.P.A. government is going to be a major issue because of the
agrarian economy of Haryana. Marginal farmers do not issue credit facilities from banks, so they approach the local
traders (Aadti) for petty finances. These farmers will not receive any waiver. However, established farmers do
receive some loan facilities from banks. They have two classes among themselves; the first is the one, which repays
the loan on time and the other is one, which does not repay the loans, and are defaulters. Hence the decision of
loan waiver is going to favour the defaulters, raising anger and dissatisfaction of those who repay the loans
regularly.
C. Peoples perception about Mr. Naveen Jindal
Mr. Naveen Jindal has an honest, non-corrupt and clean image.
He is popular as an individual, irrespective of party affiliation.
His status of being an industrialist works in his favour.
He is carrying forward the legacy of his distinguished father Mr. O. P. Jindal.
He spends money from his pocket for the well being of his constituency people.
Administrative officers of Mr. Naveen Jindal are biased towards certain classes of the society. They create an
impenetrable circle around Mr. Naveen Jindal making him unreachable to the masses.
Youth and educated class hold optimistic views about Mr. Naveen Jindal.
Some people feel he should devote more time to his constituency.
Mr. Jindal is a Good Man in Bad Party
Congress Party workers are unsatisfied with Mr. Naveen Jindal
Mr. Jindal being resourceful, new blood and MP for the first time, People expected employment from him, but
their expectations were not fulfilled.
D. Other Findings
Matters of Concern
Reducing Sex ratio
Barring few exceptions, lack of major industry
Lowering of underground water level
Youth are reluctant to go for higher education
Lack of adequate medical facilities
Lack of proper drainage facilities. In some villages the wastewater tank (Johad) are badly silted, overflowing
the wastewater to adjoining farmlands spoiling the yield. The silt needs to be excavated.
Lack of micro finance and proper banking facilities
Middlemen are earning high by paying low to the Milk Maids and selling it high elsewhere.
Traders (Aadti) finance the farmers at very high interest rates of 30 % per annum and snatch the farm yield
from them at very cheap rates. For years together farmers are infringed in debts.
Lack of roads and streets connecting remote villages
Inadequate Schooling facilities
People desperately need Ration card
Veterinary hospitals are inadequate
People do not receive Gas cylinders on time
Some areas lack good transportation facilities.
E. Key Strengths of Mr. Naveen Jindal
Young dynamic and studied personality has succeeded in winning over popular public opinion after untimely
demise of his father.
Jindal is a well-established brand all over India.
Mr. Naveen Jindal has his mother being represented in the ministry of Haryana Government.
Administrative set up is very effective for availing government funds and implementation of policies.
The concept of paid political workers favours diplomatic policy of engagement and containment.
Mobile clinic is a very popular concept and is a live propaganda.
Eye camps are a good initiative of social obligation and results in winning the senior citizens and their family
votes.
Construction of Latrine program depicts the concern for health and sanitation.
Kanyadan Yojana makes Mr. Naveen Jindal memorable.
Construction of Dharmashala facilitates community gatherings.
F. Analysis
The decision of farm loan waivers may backfire UPA government.
People may vote against the state government in the coming Assembly elections.
The Mayawati factor in Uttar Pradesh had mobilized the Dalit voters, who may opt for Bahujan Samaj Party in
the coming elections. Notable percentage of Dalit votes in Haryana may affect congress vote share.
Previously Saini votes favoured BJP, but now their votes will be divided into BJP and BSP in Kurukshetra alone
because Gurdayal Saini has joined the BSP.
Haryana Janheet Congress (HJC) may also eat up the votes of congress. BSP and HJC coalition possible.
Chautala group, forging alliance with BJP may emerge as a winning combination in Haryana.
Congress depends on the support of some scheduled caste votes, Brahmin, Baniya and Punjabi voters.
Delimitation has resulted in an increase in the Jat population in Kurukshetra. They are against the Congress.
Congress has Jat vs Non Jat faction. Face of the congress is changing. Mr. Naveen Jindal is perceived as a
threat to Jat identity of the congress.
Inflation will divide his vote bank.
People perceive that INLD can give them uninterrupted power supply
Factors like Electricity, water scarcity, inflation and unemployment may add to the anti- incumbency
sentiment against the Congress and hence against Mr. Jindal.
Group 3 - Radaur and Yamuna Nagar
The third group made an in-depth study of the Assembly Constituencies of Yamuna Nagar and Radaur
Brief Overview of Radaur and Yamuna Nagar
Radaur
This legislative assembly is one of those areas where Mr Jindal received moderate support with 40% of the populace
voting for him. It is primarily agrarian. Most of its population lives in rural areas and it does not have any major
industry. However, most of the people in this area were very favourable to the idea of starting an industry in their
area.
Radaur is the only legislative assembly of the KPC that has an MLA from the opposition party. This significantly
affects Mr Jindals standing in the area as will be explained further in the report.
As a result of delimitation, Radaur has received 33 new villages primarily from the Yamuna Nagar assembly and
from surrounding constituencies.
Yamuna Nagar
Mr Jindal has won 53% of the votes from this area. Yamuna Nagar has the highest concentration of industries in the
whole constituency. It is home to Asias largest Sugar factory and paper mill. It has 700 plywood Industrial plants
and now a thermal plant is also under construction.
As a result of delimitation 60% of this city has been transferred to another Parliamentary Constituency. Several
villages have been removed from this area as a result of delimitation.
B. Current Management of KPC
The present organizational setup promotes a communication gap. The constituency managers deal with both the
collection of grievances as well as the implementation of policies. They are considerably empowered as they
completely control the flow of information between Mr Jindal and the ordinary people of his constituency.
This set up is very effective for implementation of policies. Mr Jindal should be aware of the issues in his
constituency and there should be some form of direct communication between him and the people. To collect
grievances, communication should be direct with Mr. Naveen Jindal.
C. Mr. Naveen Jindals Image amongst the masses
His image is good not because of propaganda but because of his good work and he has an honest, clean image.
People are sure that he is not corrupt and feel that he is the safest choice as leader for this reason. He is also
popular as an individual irrespective of his party affiliation.
Being an industrialist works in his favor. Several people felt the need for an industry to be set up near their village
so that they can gain employment and they perceive Mr Jindal to be the person who can do such a thing. Some
people felt that he should devote more time to his constituency. However, on the whole everyone we met had a
favorable opinion of him.
Illiterate lower class people felt that he was unapproachable and that he worked for the elite. The youth and the
educated people on the other hand were very optimistic about him.
D. Issues in the constituency
At present the increasing inflation in the country will divide his vote bank. Most of the poor are severely affected by
it and although Mr Jindal isnt responsible for it, its probably going to affect the way the votes decide his victory.
Electricity, water scarcity and unemployment add to the anti- incumbency sentiment against the Congress and
hence against Jindal.
Besides this trend it was also observed that the opposition INLD MLAs propaganda focuses on tarnishing the Mr
Jindals image by encouraging the spread of wrong information.
His propaganda focuses on two broad areas -
He makes people believe that he is powerless as his party isnt in power.
He directs peoples ire against the State government who he says is responsible for the lack of development in the
state.
Owing to this propaganda the anti- incumbency sentiment has increased. The alarming trend is that people believe
this propaganda. We believe that this is so because no other leader has presented them with an alternate picture.
No other leader has communicated with them about their own difficulties in implementing projects. If Mr. Jindal
finds a way to keep the common man in the loop as to the state of administration in his constituency then it could
prove to be beneficial for him. The common man has no loyalty to any party. The election could swing either way
depending on which party leader offers them a bribe. They live in such sad conditions that a palliative is more than
enough to get their support. Thus Mr Jindal can become a victim of the anti- incumbency sentiment towards the
Congress despite his good image.
E. Achievements of Mr. Jindal
Mr Jindals good image is primarily due to the work he has done. He has not resorted to any propaganda and even
his detractors grudgingly agree that he has done good work for the constituency. If elected again, he may change
the face of the constituency altogether. Amongst his popular achievements are the mobile clinic, the eye camps, the
kanyadan yojana and the building of latrines. However, there are mixed reactions to these projects as well.
The mobile clinic is quite popular but its frequency should be increased. More vans should be deployed for this work
as several smaller villages, in urgent need of medical attention arent accessed.
The eye camps are very popular but there has been deterioration in the quality of treatment received and people are
having problems after their operations. This is probably due to corruption and it should be checked or it could prove
to be problematic for Mr Jindal.
The kanyadan yojana is appreciated by most people, yet, there are instances where people have sent wedding
invites to Mr Jindal in the hope that either Mr Jindal himself or one of his representatives will grace the occasion
with their presence, only to receive an envelope with the kanyadan yojana amount delivered to them by a
representative who often doesnt stay for the wedding. This practice is quite insulting and should be checked before
it does too much damage.
F. Electoral Politics
BC-a
SC BC-b OC
Gadaria Harijan Saini Brahmin
Panchal Valmiki Baniya
Lohar Dhanak Punjabi
Dhobi Singi-khat
Kambhoj Bati
Badhai Chha-pela
The Congress vote bank consists of SC, BC-a, Brahmin, Baniya and Punjabi voters. The BSP is eating into the
Harijan votebank quite considerably. Several villagers went from Radaur to Karnal on foot just to see Mayawatis
rally. The BC-a vote bank is also drifting away from the Congress.
Saini votes used to favour the BJP but now their vote will be divided into BJP and BSP in KPC alone. This is because
Gurdayal Saini a prominent BJP leader in Kurukshetra has joined the BSP.
Delimitation has resulted in an increase in the Jat population in KPC and they are against the Congress.
The Jat vs Non Jat faction in the Congress is quite considerable. People within the party probably feel that the face
of the congress is changing. Mr. Naveen Jindal is perceived as a threat to the Jat identity of the congress.
of the congress is changing. Mr. Naveen Jindal is perceived as a threat to the Jat identity of the congress.
In case of a BSP and HJC coalition the Congress will be in trouble owing to the growing prominence of the BSP in the
constituency.
G. Special attention
Our group visited a small village called Khurdban Dera on the outskirts of Khurdban village. The population of this
village consists almost exclusively of people from the SC and ST communities who are all landless labourers. They
are living in deplorable, unhygienic conditions and the problems in their village need to be tackled immediately. The
water they drink has a very high iron and fluorine content and this is causing severe health problems amongst the
villagers. The children of the village are the worst affected. Most of them have crippling health conditions owing to
malnutrition and the pollution of their drinking water. The mobile health clinic does not come to this village. It has a
very active schoolteacher who is trying very hard to get the administration to take notice of this village.
Our group also visited the village of Lal Chappar, which gets flooded, by the Yamuna River every year, killing several
individuals and submerging hundreds of hectares of farmland. Flood damage is considerable as a thousand hectares
of farmland are affected by sand accumulation and the crops get damaged. There is no bridge over the river and no
compensation for the villagers. The river water gets polluted and there is only a single manually operated boat to
get the villagers across the river to their farmland. When flooding takes place the village receives a lot of attention
from politicians but no work is ever done.
Shri Virendra Singh and his family members have constructed a Yamuna Devi temple on the other side of the
riverbank, which often offers refuge to farmers during floods.
Some possible solutions are to remove the silt deposits, make a bridge and make flood flow canals.
In the last 60 years no MLA has visited the village of Lal Chappar. Thus if Mr Jindal can visit the village in June
during the Yamuna Devi festival and address people who come from villages all along the river bank he could
acquire considerable support.
Group 4 Shahabad and Pehowa
Forth group studied the Assembly Constituencies of Shahabad and Pehowa
A. Basic issues of Shahabad and Pehowa
Power cut
People in the villages get only 3 to 4 hours power supply a day. It is understood that the whole state is power
deficient. But the need of the hour is to find alternative solutions for this burning issue as power is complexly related
with Education, Economy and Entertainment.
Depleting water resources
Because of green revolution this area has seen a golden growth in agriculture. The ill effect of this growth is ever
depleting water resources. We did not find any systematic survey of available water resources in this constituency.
Water management is evidently a cause of concern.
Inefficient administration as seen everywhere in India
Not even a single farmer knows about the governmental schemes at present. Likewise the visit of ADO is either
unknown or only for the namesake.
Substandard Schools and Hospitals
At least there is no scarcity of primary school in any village. The main issue is the number of teachers available.
Because of less no of teachers, either the present teachers are overburdening themselves or the temporary teachers
appointed by the PTA are not working efficiently. The case of education is better when we compare it with the Health
facilities in these areas. Except few there are no primary health centres available. Even in the available centres there
are no adequate doctors.
Drainage and sanitation
There are no proper drainage and sanitation facilities available in any of the villages we visited. The program of
building up toilets started by Mr. Jindal is in its worst condition. Either its because of lack of awareness or poor
implementation. Poor implementation seems to be the major reason.
Black marketing of Gas cylinders
There is no regular supply of cylinders in villages. So people get them in black markets. The issue seems small but it
is very basic.
Unavailability of Ration cards
This issue is prevalent in most of the villages. There is no proper channel through which people can sort out this
important issue.
General observations
As per our opinion, the villages we visited are not politically aware. There is no initiative from any side to include the
community in the process of development. People always expect somebody else to come and do everything, which is
a national tendency. Caste is also playing an important role in elections.
B) Critical analysis of the works done by Mr. Naveen Jindal
Mr. Naveen Jindal has to keep an eye on the implementation part of sanitation works he does in his constituency.
The medical camps are really necessary in the areas, which dont have a primary health centre. May be, he has to
focus more upon improving this idea.
Kanyadan is another scheme started by Mr. Jindal. Whenever he gets an invitation for a marriage, he sends his
representative with a sizeable amount named as Kanyadan, for attending the marriage. This scheme is quite
popular with the people. But still, according to our analysis, these kind of schemes can not solve their financial
issues permanently or raise the vote bank drastically. Hence he should supplement his efforts with creating more
alternative employment opportunities by involving the youth in this agriculturally dominated economy.
Encouraging the rural youth to participate in sports activities by providing needed material is an appreciable step.
But it is not done in all villages and more over, there is no further scope to involve them in the developmental
process.
C. Critical analysis of Mr. Jindal as a leader
Mr. Naveen Jindal has to understand that being an M.P. is not a part time job. He should give more time in his
constituency if he really desires to make an impact. It is because he has to understand the issues in these areas and
he cannot always depend upon his representatives. In that case he can also keep a vigil on his team, which works
for his constituency. Even for an industry to run efficiently, presence of its CEO is necessary. Evidently, his co-
ordination with his party workers needs to be improved. He should also deliberately try to take the MLAs of his
constituency along with him.
The entire team accepts otherwise that Mr. Jindal is considerate, charismatic and capable of achieving his targets.
Group 5. - Kaithal and Pai
Second group of students studied the Assembly Constituencies of Kaithal and Pai and the came out with following
finding.
A. General Observations
Image of Mr. Jindal: He carries a clean image, people are proud of his Flag movement. But all through the
survey people have stated- Mr. Jindal is visible but unapproachable. Another point is the Urban-industrialist
image of Mr. Jindal, the population of Kurukshetra is largely dependent on farming and peoples perception is
that he cant connect with the farmers.
Relationship with State and Centre: Lack of communication is quite visible. The People cant decide whom
to approach. MPs and MLAs area of operation appears vague for general populace. People still believe they
have to deal with the bureaucracy and parliamentary representatives are only representatives.
Lack of co-ordination between MP and Local Leaders: the infighting between MP and the local leaders
even from Congress Party is giving wrong signals to the voters. It has been observed that the State
Government is not very supportive to Mr. Jindal. Hence, the general perception is against the state
government.
Schemes of Mr. Jindal: MPs various schemes are very popular. Specially the eye camps and Kanyadan
Yojana. But the local journalists believe that these yojanas should be farmer centric since the basic livelihood
is agriculture in Kaithal and Pai.
Agriculture: one of basic problem this team got to know is related to agriculture. Since the water tables are
constantly depleting in the area, farmers are more relying on Submersible Pump, which need more energy
supply hence increasing the input cost. This issue must be addressed.
Health: The state of Primary health care services are pathetic in villages. Some villages with more than 2000
people dont have one primary health care unit. Its an issue in political terms when opposition will attack the
sincerity of the MP.
Education: The rate of school dropout is an area of concern. People are not opting for higher education,
giving reasons like there is no bus service in the area.
Infrastructure: Electricity is the biggest concern in the area. Sanitation and pucca road is also lacking in the
rural area. Bus service is one of the issues a lot of people are complaining about.
Recommendations
These are the compiled recommendations of all the groups. These recommendations can be classified under two
heads. 1. Socio-economic/ developmental of the constituency and 2. Political Recommendations
Socio-Economic/ developmental Recommendations
Agriculture Sector
As we have already seen Kurukshetra is primarily an agrarian economy, dedicated efforts should be taken to
revitalise the agriculture sector. More attention should be paid to the issues at the grassroots level.
Centres to make farmers aware of the governmental schemes for the farmers and scenario of
the agriculture in the country.
Efficient marketing units should be set up for milk, milk products and other agricultural products.
Small-scale agro-processing and milk processing industries should be set up. Women of
Kurukshetra are engaged in milk business. It has been noticed that the middlemen purchase the milk
at Rs. 10 per litre and sell it in the market for more than Rs. 20 per litre. We recommend that Mr.
Naveen Jindal should take up the task by starting womens co-operative milk procuring societies and
affiliated them to the Kurukshetra Milk Federation, so that they get fair prices
Credit facilities to the farmers - As mentioned earlier the income of the farmers is siphoned off by
the traders due to lack of timely financing facilities. Mr. Naveen Jindal can take up the task of
establishing a co-operative bank with its branches in every village of his constituency.
Watershed Management Program
It has been noticed that before some decades the water level of Haryana was at about 30 feets from the ground
surface. But due to extensive use of water, the level has gone down to 250 feets. If such circumstances prevail for
few more years, there is quite a possibility of the green meadows of Haryana turning into dry lands. Therefore, as a
mass leader Mr. Naveen Jindal should take up the water shed management program at prior notice. Otherwise the
whole area would face a severe water crisis within 10-15 years. In states like Maharashtra well-established models
of water conservation exist in villages like Ralegan Siddhi and Hiware Bazar. Such experiments should be studied in
depth so as to replicate them in Kurukshetra as per its necessity. Another step in this direction could be to organise
water panchayats to educate people on how to store and manage water.
Alternative energy sources
The acute problem of shortage of electricity should be tackled on an urgent basis. For that effective steps, in
cooperation with the state government, are necessary. In the areas we have visited, every house is having quite
adequate number of livestock population. Trying out alternative energy sources such as solar energy could be an
option. Another way out could be setting up of Gobar Gas plants. There is no scarcity for cow dung at all. The
need of the hour is to set up Gobar gas plants in each house. It will surely reduce the severity of the electricity
problem and more over; it will reduce the cost involved. People have to educated and mobilised to take up such
steps.
Economic Development
Much remains to be desired in Kurukshetra in terms of economic development.
Mr. Naveen Jindal can take lead in starting a commercial activity
on co-operative basis, which will pass the ownership to the common, public and tackle employment and economic
empowerment.
A movement of Self Help Groups can be started in the rural area that will help the marginal groups availing
petty finances and starting small business, which will in turn solve the employment problems.
Apart from personal welfare schemes like Kanyadaan, Mr. Jindal must channelise resources into wealth-
creating programmes like Self Help Groups/ Dairy Co-operatives etc.
Women empowerment:
The condition of women in Kurukshetra is deplorable. Lack of education, lack of awareness, lower social status is
keeping them away from participating in the process of development. Hence women empowerment should be given
urgent attention. More women development issues can be included in the schemes started by Mr. Jindal. Women
self-help groups should be formed and channelized through micro-financial support. A dedicated NGO for women
empowerment can be set up for this purpose. The value of girl child should also be promoted through constant
work by net working with teachers, journalists and other socially aware youth.
Youth participation
Making the youth socially aware is the best way to do any kind of developmental work smoothly. The youth in
Kurukshetra should be made aware of their responsibility in the process of development of the constituency.
Scientific temper, community feeling and interest towards education should be created among them by proper
awareness building programs. Their participation in the developmental works should be ensured and encouraged.
Political Recommendations
Easy Accessibility/approachability of the leader
Accessibility to the public is a key factor in political life. Though not direct, indirect access can be ensured. We
recommend the use of technology like video conferencing, E-mails, Voice mailbox etc. to make the access easy.
Community meetings at regular intervals can be arranged. To collect grievances from the public we recommend a
Mobile suggestion drop box, which can be circulated in every village once a month and can be directly
forwarded to Mr. Naveen Jindal in Delhi. The communications from the public should be replied back. Through this
he will be able to get a clear picture of the problems in his constituency.
Participation of Civil Society
There is a lack of a vibrant civil society in Kurukshetra. Any developmental efforts from the governments side would
be fruitless without the participation and active involvement of the civil society. A well-knit web of Voluntary
organisations, NGOs s, needs to be created so that people can be involved in
the process of development as partners and not merely as recipients. They should come forward and shoulder their
responsibility. They must understand that Government is only the facilitator and everything else they have to do in
their life without relying fully on others. Participation of Public can also be initiated by involving them in various
social cultural activities, appointing them on various committees, accepting suggestions from them, giving them
feedback, increasing the effectiveness of Gram Sabhas and other local bodies, by creating awareness about Right To
Information, filing Public Interest Litigations etc.
Creating a web of such organisations would also pay political dividends as through it would provide a channel to
establish direct contacts with the masses. Participation is an important aspect of Good Governance.
3. Constituency Management
Vertical Integration of Designated Congress Workers in his system of Functioning -Along with bureaucrats
and professionals, grass roots party workers from the Congress should be involved with due respect in the
constituency management process. Identification of workers on the basis of: 1.Integrity, 2.Caste (Since Jat votes are
increasing there should be more Jat representation in the village branches of Mr. Jindals organization), party loyalty
etc. A democratic approach needs to be used for appointing party functionaries. It can be all-inclusive and adequate
representation should be given to all caste groups.
Cordial relations with the MLAs within KPC as well as the State government
Having amicable relations with the state government as well as the MLAs would help in developing the constituency
in a better manner. Because, ultimately the developmental responsibility and executive powers rest with the state
government. Hence their cooperation would be essential for furthering any schemes or development plans. The
state government needs to be coaxed into doing something urgently on issues of Electricity, education, health,
water, agricultural prices and employment before these issues go out of hand.
5. Factionalism within the Congress needs to be checked urgently: It can be done perhaps by intervention
from Delhi. Dissatisfaction amongst Mr. Jindals workers is simmering due to lack of response from a hostile state
administration. Hence urgent steps must be taken to curb the infighting and all should start working together to
face the coming elections.
Strategy to counter the increasing influence of BSP in the state needs to be devised. An alliance
between Janhit and BSP could be troublesome for congress in some pockets.
Reconstruction of Image: Mr. Naveen Jindal can reconstruct his image as a leader who is not only a
visionary but who also has a deep understanding of the grass roots issues. His urban industrial image could
be slightly modified to give it a face of a mass leader. Such steps like starting agro-business units would be
useful for this reconstruction of the image..

Compiled by:
Ms. Mukta kulkarni
Sr. Research Associate,
MIT School of Government

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