BJP Faces Chaos in Haryana as First List of Candidates Sparks Resignations

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In Haryana, the release of the BJP’s first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections has triggered a wave of resignations and unrest within the party. On Wednesday evening, just minutes after the announcement of 67 candidates, a flurry of resignations began appearing on social media, with the trend continuing into Thursday.

In under 24 hours, 32 prominent BJP members, including one minister, one sitting MLA, and five former legislators, have resigned from the party. Discontent has been visible across various constituencies including Rania, Maham, Badli, Thanesar, Uklana, Safidon, Prithla, Rewari, Israna, Hisar, and Samalkha.

Key Resignations and Reactions:

1. Energy Minister Ranjit Chautala: Ranjit Chautala, the Energy Minister from Rania, announced his resignation from the party after being asked to contest from Dabwali, a location he was unwilling to run from. He declared his intention to run as an independent candidate from Rania and is planning a major roadshow on September 8 to demonstrate his strength against the BJP.
2. Savitri Jindal: Savitri Jindal, mother of one of India’s richest women and BJP MP Naveen Jindal, has decided to run as an independent candidate. Her decision adds to the growing list of high-profile departures from the party.
3. Laxman Napa: BJP MLA from Fatehabad’s Ratia constituency, Laxman Napa, resigned from the party and has reportedly met with former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Delhi.
4. Local Leaders and Officials: Numerous local leaders have also left the BJP. In Hisar, former district council member Mahant Darshangiri, ex-mayor Gautam Sardana, and other prominent figures have resigned. In Sonipat, BJP district vice-president and councillor Indu Valecha’s husband, former councillor Sanjeev Valecha, has also exited the party.
5. Discontent Over Ticket Allocations: Discontent over ticket allocations has led to several key figures leaving the party. Shamsher Gill and former candidate Seema Gaibipur from Uklana, who were displeased with the nomination of JJP’s Anoop Dhanak for the reserved seat, have resigned. Similarly, BJP district vice-president Tarun Jain from Hisar has announced his resignation after his name was not included in the ticket list.
6. Other Notable Resignations: Sukhvinder Shyoran, former MLA from Badhra, resigned from his position as the president of the farmer’s wing. State coordinator Satish Khola also announced his departure from the BJP.

Impact and Next Steps:

The sudden wave of resignations has caused significant upheaval within the BJP in Haryana. Many of those resigning are expected to either run as independent candidates or join other political parties. With prominent leaders such as Ranjit Chautala and Laxman Napa stepping away, the BJP faces challenges in maintaining its political base in the state.

The party’s internal discord and the dissatisfaction with candidate selections underscore a turbulent period ahead of the elections. As these leaders prepare to contest the elections independently or align with other parties, the BJP’s strategy and its ability to consolidate support will be tested in the coming weeks.