profilesofcontenders
CONGRESS
Jitender Malik (42): Sitting MP is apparently reluctant to contest again from the Sonepat seat. He has remained two-time MLA from Gannaur assembly segment under Sonepat parliamentary constituency. Belongs to an influential political family. His father Rajinder Singh was a Haryana cabinet minister.
Prof Virender Singh (50): Enjoys proximity to chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda as his adviser. He is seen as an outsider for this seat, but can be projected as the candidate by the CM to keep his hold on the Jat belt in case Malik backs out. Married in Dahiya gotra, a prominent vote bank in the region.
Devinder Kadyan (33): Hails from Gannaur assembly constituency. Said to be in the good books of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Owns a chain of hotels
BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY
Pradeep Sangwan (43): Son of Jat leader Kishan Singh Sangwan, who remained MP from Sonepat thrice. Lost Gohana assembly election in 2009 to Congress candidate Jagbir Malik.
Ramesh Kaushik (48): Former Congress minister joined the saffron party in 2013. BJP state president Ram Bilas Sharma is pitching for Kaushik, who has hosted impressive public rallies in Sonepat.
INDIAN NATIONAL LOK DAL
Padam Singh Dahiya (50): Former Kharkhodda MLA is national secretary of the party. Considered close to INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala. Remained dis- trict INLD president of Sonepat.
KC Banger (55): Former HPSC chairman, hails from Barodha assembly segment of Sonepat parliamentary constituency. He is the state party spokesperson.
Surender Dahiya (45): Remained in-charge of Jind district under Sonepat parliamentary seat and also served as party’s state youth president. His father, Om Prakash, has been president of Sonepat Tika Ram education society (a Jat body) since 2003. Currently, he is state general secretary of the party.