Scores of BJP functionaries - a sitting minister, a legislator, former ministers and party leaders, among others- announced their resignation on Thursday after being denied tickets for the October 5 Assembly elections in Haryana, a day after the state's ruling party announced its first list of 67 candidates.
Power Minister Ranjit Chautala, who had contested the 2019 Assembly elections as an Independent but was later inducted into the Cabinet, announced his decision to resign both as Minister and from the primary membership of the BJP after a meeting with supporters at Rania on Thursday.
Making an address to his supporters, Ranjit Chautala claimed that being the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, he can't compromise on any situation.
"I will contest the elections as an Independent nominee from Rania. BJP offered me a ticket from Dabwali, but I rejected the proposal. I am sending my resignation from the Cabinet and the primary membership of the party," he said.
In 2019 elections, Ranjit Chautala had contested as an Independent candidate after the Congress had denied him a ticket. The above is taken from Times News.
He had resigned as MLA and joined BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. Later, he had contested the Lok Sabha polls from Hisar and lost at the hands of Congress' Jai Parkash.
The party has fielded former Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal from Ratia. Duggal was denied re-nomination from Sirsa in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where BJP had fielded former Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar. Tanwar, however lost to the Congress veteran Kumari Selja.
As sitting BJP legislator from Ratia (SC) Lakshman Dass Napa resigned from all party posts after being denied a ticket, he joined league of rebels. He is speculated to join the Congress after meeting former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
The BJP on Wednesday released its first list of 67 candidates, fielding Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from Ladwa in Kurukshetra district. Saini, who replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as the Chief Minister in March this year, is at present the MLA from Karnal.
BJP's key OBC leader Karan Dev Kamboj, who was denied a ticket from Indri, also resigned from all party posts on Thursday.
Me and my family have been part of the BJP since the time of Jan Sangh. I have worked with a lot of dedication, but now the party has adopted Congress' culture," Kamboj told the media.
Without mincing words, he said the Congress would form the next government while "BJP's dream will just remain a dream".
Displeased over the denial of nomination from Sonipat, former minister Kavita Jain came out in tears at a meeting with her supporters while giving an ultimatum to the party high command to change its candidate Nikhil Madan within three days.
Jain also claimed that she was cheated as senior party leaders had assured her of the ticket.
In Safidon of Jind district, former MLA Bachan Singh Arya quit after JJP rebel Ram Kumar Gautam was fielded from the seat. Arya now contests as an Independent. Gautam joined BJP earlier in the week.
Interestingly, Sunil Sangwan, the then prison officer who granted parole to rape convict Ram Rahim six times before quitting the position, has been given a BJP ticket. This again raises a question about BJP's stand on women's safety.
Meanwhile, supporters of former minister Savitri Jindal, mother of Kurukshetra BJP MP Naveen Jindal, met her at her residence in Hisar on Thursday and requested her to enter the fray as an Independent after the BJP renominated Health Minister Kamal Gupta as its candidate.
Savitri Jindal and her son Naveen Jindal had joined the BJP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. She was seeking a BJP ticket from Hisar.
Read also| BJP Releases First List for Haryana Polls, CM Saini to Contest from Ladwa
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