In the fray are former chief minister’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi of Haryana Janhit Congress, Ajay Chautala of INLD, who is son of former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, and likely Congress candidate Shruti, granddaughter of former Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal and daughter of Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhary.

Bishnoi was elected last time on a Congress ticket, but lost his membership after he formed a new political outfit. He is expected to re-contest on a HJC ticket. Supporters of Kuldeep Bishnoi are optimistic about his victory. They say that division of Jat votes between Ajay Chautala and Shruti would help Bishnoi win with a record margin of votes.

On the other hand, the month-long Jan Akrosh rally organised by INLD general secretary Ajay Chautala aimed at feeling the pulse of voters before the elections. His supporters say the party’s election campaign to ensure Ajay’s victory had begun four months before the announcement of elections. They add that Ajay has remained in touch with the voters even after his defeat in the previous election and this would help him win.