As dissent brews within the BJP over the allocation of election tickets in Haryana, party leader Karan Dev Kamboj criticised the lack of influence Chief Minister Nayab Saini had in the process. Kamboj, who recently resigned as the OBC Morcha chief after being denied a ticket for the October 5 Assembly elections, claimed that many deserving leaders were overlooked in favour of newcomers.
Kamboj argued that Saini’s limited role in candidate selection might have contributed to the current unrest, which includes resignations and dissatisfaction among several party members.
“When the BJP made Nayab Saini the chief minister, the party’s graph went up. But while picking up candidates, the CM has not been given much say in ticket allocation…The rebellion, which we are seeing on many seats, could have been prevented,” he claimed, as quoted by PTI.
After the BJP’s first candidate list led to the resignation of Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and MLA Lakshman Dass Napa, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh suggested that public desire for his chief ministerial candidacy is high, although current Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reaffirmed that the party will fight the elections under Saini’s leadership.
The first list was released with 67 names.
The BJP released a second list of candidates on Tuesday, which included changes and denied tickets to several sitting MLAs, including two ministers and state party president Mohan Lal Badoli. This decision has further fueled the internal strife, with some party members expressing their grievances publicly.
Congress leader Kumari Selja and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala criticised the BJP’s internal turmoil. Chautala said the BJP’s “bubble has burst” and their defeat is certain.
The Haryana Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on October 5, and vote counting is set for October 8.