Rashtriya Lok Dal has left the field in Haryana due to pressure from BJP. RLD, whose politics is mainly centered on farmers and Jats of West UP, was very keen to make its presence felt in the elections in Haryana (where there is a significant number of Jats and farmers). But for now the party has backed down from its demand for seats in this state. Meanwhile, RLD has intensified its discussions with BJP to contest the upcoming assembly elections (Jharkhand and Maharashtra).
According to a Times of India report, RLD has given up its demand to contest the Haryana assembly elections. This development reflects the BJP’s edge over allies in the upcoming assembly elections in several states. According to RLD sources, before joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before the Lok Sabha elections, RLD was demanding at least two seats in Haryana. RLD had plans to enter politics in this state which has a significant number of Jat and peasant voters. Sources say that the party has also proposed to give up its claim from the Meerapur assembly seat in the upcoming by-elections in UP. This seat has fallen vacant due to party MLA Chandan Chauhan being elected MP from Bijnor Lok Sabha seat.