Haryana assembly elections: Candidates back out, now 7 in fray in Kalka

Aiming to reclaim the Kalka assembly constituency, the BJP is banking on Shakti Rani Sharma, 71, who with assets worth ₹144 crore, including those of her spouse, is among the top 10 richest candidates in fray in Haryana

The race for the Kalka assembly seat was trimmed down on Monday as four candidates—including the official nominees from the Jannayak Janata Party and Rashtrawadi Janlok Party (Satya), plus two independents—withdrew their nominations. The contest is now set to be among seven candidates as Haryana goes to polls on October 5.

In Kalka, independent candidates Amit Sharma, Gopal and Vishal were allotted “bat”, “diamond” and “brick” as election symbols. (HT File Photo for representation)

Jannayak Janata Party had fielded Balbir Singh, 42, a practising advocate, who completed his LLB from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, in 2012. JJP had finished third in the Kalka assembly constituency in 2019 with 6.04% vote share. JJP was BJP’s coalition partner in Haryana for 53 months before the alliance ended in March this year.

Rashtrawadi Janlok Party (Satya) had nominated Charan Singh, 41, a teacher by profession. He also withdrew from the elections, along with two independent candidates —Geeta Devi, 35, and Preeti, 34, who has joined the BJP.

Incumbent MLA Pradeep Chaudhary, 63, is fighting to retain the seat for the Congress. Chaudhary had won in 2019 by defeating BJP candidate Latika Sharma by a margin of 5,931. He had secured 45.26% vote share, a 29.90% jump from the votes polled in 2014.

Bahujan Samaj Party, which got 2.01%vote share in 2019, registering a 5.87% drop from 2014, has fielded Charan Singh, 67, this time.

In Kalka, independent candidates Amit Sharma, Gopal and Vishal were allotted “bat”, “diamond” and “brick” as election symbols.