Haryana Assembly Polls: Denied Tickets, Many BJP Leaders Turn Rebels

Denial of tickets has caused discontent among many BJP leaders with some resigning from the party posts and others planning to contest as independent candidates. BJP had announced its list of 67 candidates on Wednesday and tickets were given to a few newcomers.

Chandigarh: A day after BJP released the first list of 67 candidates for Haryana Assembly elections, political activities have intensified in the state with some MLAs distancing themselves from the party after being denied tickets.

Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and MLA Lakshman Dass Napa, who were denied tickets, have quit the party. Among the disgruntled leaders include Karan Dev Kamboj, Seema Gaibipur, Satish Khola and Kavita Jain.

BJP MLA Laxman Napa from Ratia in Fatehabad has resigned from the primary membership of BJP. It has been reported that Napa became angry after he failed to get a ticket as BJP has given fielded Sunita Duggal from Ratia seat. After quitting party, Napa met former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda at his residence and said that he will be joining Congress with his supporters.

Power minister Ranjit Chautala has called a meeting of his supporters at his residence in Sirsa. Chautala had earlier contested the Lok Sabha elections from Hisar but was defeated. It is being said that he will chalk out the party's future strategy at the meeting. Also, speculations are on that Chautala may contest the elections as an independent candidate and is also in touch with the Congress.

Another disgruntled leader eyeing ticket is former minister Karan Dev Kamboj has resigned from the post of state president of Haryana BJP's OBC Morcha and all other party posts. He said that the party no longer needs loyalists like him.

Senior BJP leader, Seema Gaibipur has also resigned from all the party posts with immediate effect while state coordinator of Parivar Pehchan Patra Satish Khola is meeting his supporters at his residence and is set to contest the polls as an independent candidate.

Another BJP leader, Kavita Jain has rebelled from Sonipat and may contest as an independent candidate against the saffron party candidate. Jain is the wife of Rajiv Jain, who was OSD to former Chief Minister Manohar Lal.

On Wednesday, BJP released its first list of 67 of 90 candidates for Haryana elections. Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini has been fielded from Ladwa and many candidates, who had recently joined the party, have been given tickets.

Party's national secretary Om Prakash Dhankhar has been fielded from Badli and Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt. Jagmohan Anand, a close aide and media advisor of former CM Manohar Lal, has been given ticket from Karnal.

Read more