When it comes to elections in Haryana, the Adampur assembly seat is always a key topic. Adampur is the stronghold of Bhajan Lal’s family who has been the Chief Minister in the state thrice. The Bhajan Lal family has dominated this seat for the last 56 years.
Apart from the former Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal’s wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson have all won this seat and become MLAs. This time Bhajan Lal’s grandson and Kuldeep Bishnoi’s son Bhavya Bishnoi is contesting from Adampur on BJP ticket.
Bhavya Bishnoi started his political innings by winning the November 2022 by-election from Adampur. While many political parties and stalwart political leaders had challenged the Bhajan Lal family in Adampur no one could breach their fortress.
While there are many reasons behind the stronghold of the Bhajan Lal family on Adampur, one of the key factors is Bhajan Lal’s formidable image and the works done by him in the area.
The string of electoral victories by the Bhajan Lal family started in 1968. Though the family has changed parties and changed election symbols the result has always been in their favour in all stages of election.
Bhajan Lal started his political career in Adampur by becoming a Panch (member) of the Gram Panchayat. Then, he became the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti. Following this, he became an MLA from Adampur for the first time in 1968.
Bhajan Lal won nine assembly elections from Adampur. Contesting on Congress ticket in 1968, Bhajan Lal defeated Independent candidate Balraj Singh. In the 1972 assembly elections, he defeated Independent candidate Devi Lal.
Similarly, Bhajan Lal won the 1977 and 1982 assembly elections from Adampur. In 1987, Bhajan Lal’s wife, Jasma Devi contested from Adampur on Congress ticket and won. Following this, Bhajan Lal won the 1991 and 1996 assembly elections from Adampur.
When Bhajan Lal became an MP from Karnal in 1998, he resigned from the assembly. A by-election was held in Adampur. Bhajan Lal’s younger son Kuldeep Bishnoi contested the election, won and entered politics.
In the 2000 Haryana assembly elections, Bhajan Lal won on Congress ticket. His winning streak in Adampur continued in the 2005 Assembly elections as well. However, after the 2005 elections, Bhajan Lal rebelled against the Congress and formed a new party, the Haryana Janhit Congress.
Since Bhajan Lal was disqualified under the anti-defection law, the Adampur seat became vacant. A fresh by-election was held in Adampur. Bhajan Lal defeated the Congress candidate and former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal’s son Ranjit Chautala by more than 26,000 votes. This marked Bhajan Lal’s ninth victory in Adampur.
In the 2009 state assembly elections, Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi won from his family’s stronghold.
Bhajan Lal died on June 3, 2011 when he was an MP from Hisar. A fresh by-election was held in the constituency.
Kuldeep Bishnoi won in this by-election. After becoming an MP from Hisar, Kuldeep resigned from his post of MLA. Hence, a by-election was held on the Adampur assembly seat. In this by-election, Kuldeep Bishnoi’s wife and Bhajan Lal’s daughter-in-law Renuka Bishnoi contested and won on the ticket of Haryana Janhit Congress.
In the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections, Kuldeep Bishnoi won from Adampur on Congress ticket. It should be noted that before the 2014 assembly elections, Kuldeep merged his party (Haryana Janhit Congress) with the Congress.
In 2022, Kuldeep Bishnoi left the Congress and resigned from the post of MLA. This led to another by-election in Adampur, and a new member from the Bhajan Lal family entered electoral politics.
Bhavya Bishnoi, son of Kuldeep Bishnoi, contested from Adampur on a BJP ticket in this by-election and won, continuing the winning streak of his grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother.
From Devi Lal and Bansi Lal to Bhupendra Singh Hooda, every heavyweight political leader in Haryana has tried to breach Bhajan Lal’s fort in Adampur. However, no one has succeeded to date, highlighting the Bhajan family’s strong hold on the voters of Adampur.
When Bhajan Lal became Chief Minister, he spearheaded large-scale development in his region and provided numerous jobs. Known for his soft nature, Bhajan Lal would even help his political opponents at times. He forged strong relationships with thousands of families in his constituency. These bonds continue to this day.
In Adampur, Bhajan Lal’s own caste, the Bishnois, commands around 30,000 votes. So far, no one has been able to make a dent in this strong vote bank. These votes have always been cast in favour of Bhajan Lal’s family.
Moreover, Bhajan Lal was the biggest non-Jat leader in Haryana. This gave him full support of other castes in Adampur and now even his family is reaping its benefits.
In most previous elections, the Bhajan Lal family has faced Jat candidates as opponents in Adampur. Various opposition leaders have entered the fray against them. At times, new faces from these parties posed a tough challenge, but the Bhajan Lal family has remained indispensable.