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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana is facing a significant rebellion following the release of its first list of 67 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. At least 12 leaders, including state minister Ranjit Singh Chautala, OBC Morcha chief Karam Dev Kamboj, and Ratia MLA Laxman Dass Napa, have resigned from the party's primary membership and announced their intention to contest the election independently. This mass exodus of prominent figures within the party highlights a deep sense of discontent and a perceived lack of respect for senior leaders.
The resignations came after the BJP chose to replace several incumbent MLAs with new candidates. Notably, Ranjit Chautala, who had previously joined the BJP after winning the 2019 assembly election as an independent, was denied a ticket from his constituency and offered a seat in Dabwali instead. This move was perceived as a demotion by Chautala, who cited his legacy as the son of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal as a reason for his decision to contest independently from Rania. He underscored his refusal to compromise on his principles and his desire to uphold his family's political heritage.
Similarly, other leaders who were left out of the candidate list, such as Laxman Dass Napa, Sukhvinder Sheoran, and Shamsher Singh Kharkhara, have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the BJP's decision and indicated their intention to seek political refuge elsewhere. The BJP's decision to replace these leaders with new faces has resulted in a backlash that threatens to undermine the party's chances in the upcoming election. The party's strategy appears to be based on attracting new faces and energizing the electorate with fresh candidates. However, the move has backfired, alienating a significant portion of the party's existing support base.
Furthermore, the BJP's decision to field Nikhil Madan as its candidate in Sonepat, a former associate of Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda who had recently switched from the Congress, has also sparked outrage among party members. Former Haryana minister Kavita Jain, who was dropped from the ticket list, has given the BJP high command an ultimatum to change the candidate within three days, threatening to leave the party if her demands are not met. This incident underscores the growing discontent within the BJP ranks and the party's struggle to maintain unity and control in the face of mounting challenges.
The BJP's handling of the candidate selection process has demonstrably created a ripple effect of discontent and resentment within the party. The resignations and threats of independent candidacies are indicative of a deeper crisis within the BJP, which is struggling to appease both its existing members and its ambitions for electoral success. This rebellion has the potential to significantly impact the BJP's performance in the Haryana assembly elections, as it faces an uphill battle to maintain its grip on power in the state.
Source: Day after first list of candidates, Haryana BJP faces rebellion