Haryana Polls 2024: Savitri Jindal Threatens BJP, "I Will Contest the Election," Other Prominent Leaders Resign, Putting BJP in Crisis
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana is facing a wave of rebellion ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The release of the party's first list of 67 candidates on Wednesday has triggered a series of high-profile resignations, shaking the party's core.
One of the most significant blows came from Savitri Jindal, former minister and mother of BJP MP Naveen Jindal, who expressed her dissatisfaction over not receiving a ticket. Jindal declared that she would contest the election independently, marking a major setback for the party. Her influence in the region makes her departure a notable loss for the BJP.
In addition to Jindal, Haryana's Power Minister, Ranjit Chautala, voiced his displeasure after being denied a ticket from the Rania seat. While Chautala has not yet made a final decision, his discontent has added to the growing unrest within the party.
Key Resignations in Haryana BJP
Several prominent figures have resigned from the party following the release of the candidate list:
- Karnadev Kamboj, president of the BJP OBC Morcha and former minister, resigned from all party positions after his ticket was cut from the Indri constituency.
- Vikas alias Bhalle, president of Dadri Kisan Morcha, also resigned from the BJP.
- Laxman Napa, BJP MLA from Ratia, left the party.
- Amit Jain, BJP’s youth executive member from Sonipat, stepped down from his post.
- Shamsher Gill, a BJP leader from Uklana, resigned in protest against the nomination of former minister Anoop Dhanak, who had joined the BJP from JJP.
- Sukhwinder Mandi, president of Haryana BJP Kisan Morcha, also quit the party.
- Darshan Giri Maharaj, a BJP leader from Hisar, tendered his resignation.
- Seema Gaibipur, a senior BJP leader, resigned from all party positions with immediate effect.
BJP's First List of 67 Candidates
The BJP announced its first list of 67 candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections, with key leaders such as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini contesting from Ladwa, and former BJP state president Om Prakash Dhankhar from Badli. Other prominent names include:
- Gyan Chand Gupta, Haryana Speaker, contesting from Panchkula.
- Kanwar Pal Gujjar, former Speaker, contesting from Jagadhri.
- Anil Vij, former Home Minister, contesting from Ambala Cantonment.
- Sunita Duggal, former MP, contesting from Ratia.
- Aarti Singh Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, contesting from Ateli.
- Bhavya Bishnoi, son of Kuldeep Bishnoi, included in the candidate list.
The nomination process has begun and will continue until September 12. Haryana’s 90 Assembly seats will go to polls in a single phase on October 5, with the results being announced on October 8.
The BJP is facing internal dissent even as it prepares for a tough electoral battle. The wave of resignations has cast a shadow over its campaign, with key leaders distancing themselves from the party. The coming days will reveal whether the party can resolve its internal issues or face a more significant political fallout ahead of the election.
