When it comes to elections in Haryana, the Adampur Assembly seat is always a major topic. Adampur is the family stronghold of Bhajan Lal who has been the Chief Minister of the state thrice. The Bhajan Lal family has dominated this seat for the past 56 years.
Apart from the former Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal’s wife, son, son-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 are contesting from Adampur on BJP ticket.
Bhavya Bishnoi started her political journey by winning the November 2022 by-election from Adampur. When many political parties and powerful political leaders challenged Bhajan Lal’s family in Adampur, no one could breach their stronghold.
While there are many reasons behind Bhajan Lal’s family stronghold in Adampur, one of the key factors is Bhajan Lal’s formidable image and the work he has done in the area.
The series of electoral victories by the Bhajan Lal family began in 1968. Even though the family had changed parties and changed their election symbols, the results were always favorable at all stages of the election.
Bhajan Lal started his political career in Adampur by becoming a Panch (member) of the Gram Panchayat. Later he became the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti. After that, he became MLA from Adampur for the first time in 1968.
Bhajan Lal won nine assembly elections from Adampur. Contesting on a Congress ticket in 1968, Bhajan Lal defeated Independent candidate Balraj Singh. In the 1972 assembly elections, he defeated the Independent candidate Devi Lal.
In addition, Bhajan Lal won the 1977 and 1982 assembly elections from Adampur. In 1987, Bhajan Lal’s wife Jasma Devi contested from Adampur on a Congress ticket and won. After that, Bhajan Lal won the 1991 and 1996 Assembly Elections from Adampur.
When Bhajan Lal became MP from Karnal in 1998, he resigned from the assembly. A by-election was held in Adampur. Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi contested the elections, won and entered politics.
In the 2000 Haryana assembly elections, Bhajan Lal won on a Congress ticket. The victory 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 fell vacant. A new election was held in Adampur. Bhajan Lal defeated Congress candidate and son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal Ranjit Chautala by over 26,000 votes. This marks Bhajan Lal’s ninth victory in Adampur.
In the 2009 state assembly elections, Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi won from his family stronghold.
Bhajan Lal died on June 3, 2011 while serving as a member of parliament from Hisar. Fresh elections were held in the constituencies.
Kuldeep Bishnoi won this election. After serving as MP from Hisar, Kuldeep resigned as MLA. Hence, a by-election was held in Adampur assembly seat. In this by-election, Kuldeep Bishnoi’s wife and Bhajan Lal’s son-in-law Renuka Bishnoi contested and won on Haryana Janhit Congress ticket.
In the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections, Kuldeep Bishnoi won from Adampur on a 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 Congress and resigned as MLA. This led to another by-election in Adampur, and a new member of 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 stronghold in Adampur. However, nothing has been successful so far, highlighting the Bhajan family’s power over the voters in Adampur.
When Bhajan Lal was the Chief Minister, he led large-scale development in his area and provided many projects. Known for his gentle nature, Bhajan Lal would even help his political opponents. He established strong relationships with thousands of families in the constituency. This bond continues to this day.
In Adampur, Bhajan Lal’s own caste, the Bishnois, commanded around 30,000 votes. So far, no one has been able to create a vote bank this strong. This voice is always given to Bhajan Lal’s family.
Besides, Bhajan Lal is the biggest non-Jat leader in Haryana. It gave full support to other castes in Adampur and now even their families are getting benefits.
In several previous elections, Bhajan Lal’s family had faced Jat candidates as opponents in Adampur. Various opposition leaders have opposed him. At times, the new face of the party poses a tough challenge, but Bhajan Lal’s family remains a priority.
